In conversation with Howard Davies.

In June 1992 Chris Patten went to Hong Kong as the last British Governor to prepare for handing back the British Colony to the Chinese in 1997. During these five years, he kept a diary chronicling the backstage battles which were to decide Hong Kong’s fate. The Diaries give an insight into the difficulties of negotiating with the Chinese, how institutions of democracy could be strengthened and the need to ensure that a degree of self government would continue after handover. Patten also gives a powerful assessment of recent events and how best to manage matters.