East and West: China, Power, and the Future of Asia.

• Author: LINGLE, CHRISTOPHER
• Position: Review

East and West: China, Power, and the Future of Asia By Christopher Patten New York: Times Books/Random House, 1998. Pp. xiv, 304. $25.00.

Reviewing Chris Patten's book brings me personal pleasure in several respects. For one, it pleases me to encourage readers to buy and read a book that Rupert Murdoch refused to publish. In a highly publicized affair, one of Murdoch's publishing houses pulled out of a contract for this book, shamelessly deferring to Beijing's Communist regime. Given his media ambitions for East Asia, Murdoch clearly dreaded the regime's displeasure at the publication of Patten's thoughtful words. After all, the Chinese government had denounced Patten as "a prostitute for a thousand years" and a "tango dancer" during negotiations over conditions for the return of Hong Kong to China.

In any event, the work in question is a very readable book, full of insights about Asia, written by the last British governor of the prosperous crown colony. Some people have expressed disappointment that the book does not present more kiss-and-tell about Patten's stormy relationship with the Chinese authorities, but that can wait for another day and another book.

I grew to admire Patten from a distance. While living in Europe, I followed his career in the Conservative Party and celebrated his efforts in securing a landslide victory for the Tories in the 1992 British elections. After falling out of favor with the good Queen Maggie, he was ignominiously dispatched to Hong Kong, where he might have given in to tropical torpor and occupied himself in enjoying the luxurious trappings of a colonial administrator. Happily for the people of Hong Kong, he did not do so.

I was in Hong Kong for the handover ceremonies and noted the dignity with which the entire Patten family conducted themselves. There was a great outpouring of appreciation and support from the local Chinese population. As the Union Jack was lowered for the last time, Chris Patten stood alone and uncovered in a monsoonal downpour before departing with Prince Charles on the royal yacht, Britannia. It was a dignified and moving event.

Later, I was in Hong Kong when Patten returned for the first time, to promote his book. I was impressed by how warmly he was received. Local residents of all nationalities queued for hours to shake his hand, give their well wishes, and seek his inscription on their books. One Chinese gentleman who had braved the throng was interviewed on the local television...