The Hong Kong Diaries

The Hong Kong Diaries is an enthralling piece of literature penned by the talented Chris Patten. Published by Penguin Books Ltd in 2024, this book offers readers a captivating journey into the heart of Hong Kong. It falls under the genre of travel literature, but it's so much more than that. It's a love letter to a city, a chronicle of its history, and a deep dive into its culture, all rolled into one mesmerizing narrative. Chris Patten's eloquent writing style brings the city to life, making readers feel as though they are walking the bustling streets of Hong Kong themselves. The Hong Kong Diaries is a must-read for anyone with a passion for travel, history, or simply great storytelling. Don't miss out on this gripping tale from Penguin Books Ltd.

The diaries of the last British Governor of Hong Kong, published on the 25th anniversary of the handoverIn June 1992 Chris Patten went to Hong Kong as the last British governor, to try to prepare it not (as other British colonies over the decades) for independence, but for handing back in 1997 to the Chinese, from whom most of its territory had been leased 99 years previously. Over the next five years he kept this diary, which describes in detail how Hong Kong was run as a British colony and what happened as the handover approached. The book gives unprecedented insights into negotiating with the Chinese, about how the institutions of democracy in Hong Kong were (belatedly) strengthened and how Patten sought to ensure that a strong degree of self-government would continue after 1997. Unexpectedly, his opponents included not only the Chinese themselves, but some British businessmen and civil service mandarins upset by Patten's efforts, for whom political freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong seemed less important than keeping on the right side of Beijing. The book concludes with an account of what has happened in Hong Kong since the handover, a powerful assessment of recent events and Patten's reflections on how to deal with China - then and now.