Meet Mike Rowse, the first foreign Hong Kong government official to become a citizen of China. Born into a low-class family in England, he left home at 23 and traveled around Asia by boat until, in 1972, he arrived in Hong Kong to start a new life. Since then, he went from journalism to fighting corruption at the government level and later even helped bring the first Disneyland in Asia to Hong Kong. Mike shared the truth behind the success of China, Hong Kong, and Singapore that has long stayed behind closed doors, what Western media can’t get right about China and Hong Kong, and whether Hong Kong is heading toward a bright future or a sharp fall. Enjoy!
Becoming a Chinese citizen
Why Mike chose a Chinese passport
Singapore vs. Hong Kong
Being a Caucasian Chinese national
Converting from British to Chinese citizenship
How people react to Mike’s nationality
Leaving the UK by boat
First time in Singapore
Travelling in Southeast Asia in the ’70s
Highlights of the Asian trip
First job in Hong Kong
Why Hong Kong is better for living
Fighting against corruption in Hong Kong
Best job in the government
Working on the Disneyland Hong Kong project
What the Disneyland project taught Mike
Relationships vs. hard work
How to stay happy
The future of Hong Kong
Challenges for Hong Kong
The most inspirational people in Mike’s life
Honest view on China
Honest view on the UK
What it’s like being 76 years old
Regrets in life
Advice for young people
The meaning of life
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Max ChernovNovember 18, 2025, Autumn in
China- 0:00INTRO
- 01:10Becoming a Chinese citizen
- 05:54Why Mike chose a Chinese passport
- 08:34Singapore vs. Hong Kong
- 12:36Being a Caucasian Chinese national
- 14:10Converting from British to Chinese citizenship
- 16:58How people react to Mike’s nationality
- 17:53Leaving the UK by boat
- 18:30First time in Singapore
- 19:28Travelling in Southeast Asia in the ’70s
- 20:36Highlights of the Asian trip
- 23:19First job in Hong Kong
- 24:47Why Hong Kong is better for living
- 30:12Fighting against corruption in Hong Kong
- 35:28Best job in the government
- 37:25Working on the Disneyland Hong Kong project
- 49:36What the Disneyland project taught Mike
- 54:53Relationships vs. hard work
- 56:05How to stay happy
- 56:32The future of Hong Kong
- 57:18Challenges for Hong Kong
- 01:00:30The most inspirational people in Mike’s life
- 01:06:03Honest view on China
- 01:07:48Honest view on the UK
- 01:10:24What it’s like being 76 years old
- 01:13:08Regrets in life
- 01:15:34Advice for young people
- 01:19:59The meaning of life
