East and west

Chris Patten reflects on his experiences as the governor of Hong Kong, why he adopted the stance he did, and how he fought his battles. Why has the Far East more generally prospered so spectacularly over recent decades, and how seriously should its recent crises be taken? What is the possibility of such conditions for prosperity being reproduced elsewhere? What are the connections between political freedom and the rule of law, and economic freedom and advance? What is China's role in the world to be? Patten discusses the answers to these and other questions.