Born in Hong Hong and educated in England, David Tang is equal parts eccentric British gentleman and unstoppable entrepreneur. He founded luxury lifestyle chain Shanghai Tang, received a knighthood from the Queen and secured exclusive Asian distribution rights for Havana cigars. But his flamboyant charms have also attracted a coterie of celebrity chums.

When he’s not whooping it up with Kate Moss, Michael Caine or Sienna Miller at his sumptuous London pad, the bon vivant likes to socialise in Hong Kong, where he and wife Lucy also have a home.

Feeding Tang’s seemingly limitless joie de vivre is his portfolio of fine-dining restaurants. In Hong Kong he’s best known for creating the China Club, Island Tang and Cipriani, and in London, China Tang at The Dorchester hotel.

More recently, Tang set tongues wagging with the launch of ICorrect, a website offering famous and high-profile personalities the chance to fight back against media rumour-mongers. Although the site only launched in 2011, it already features ripostes from the likes of Naomi Campbell, Stephen Fry and Bianca Jagger.

We visited the new Shanghai Tang Mansion on a private tour and were utterly impressed by its design.

Although his empire is ever-evolving, there’s one thing that remains reassuringly constant in Tang’s world – his staunch royalism. In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Tang takes time out of his busy schedule to discuss what it is that makes Britain great… and sometimes not-so-great.

Asia Tatler: So, what makes Britain great?

David Tang: Her civilisation.

Asia Tatler: Is Britain still the land of hope and glory?

David Tang: Not much hope, because the British have become lazy; not much glory, because the empire has long since gone.

Asia Tatler: Is there anything that Britain still does better than anywhere else in the world?

David Tang: The BBC.

Asia Tatler: Your parents decided to send you to school in England. What was your impression when you arrived for the very first time?

David Tang: Charing Cross station – not very glamorous.

Asia Tatler: Do you think Britain has changed for the better or the worse since then?

David Tang: Worse, because of political correctness.

Asia Tatler: Is Britain getting too politically correct for its own good?

David Tang: Far too politically correct.

Asia Tatler: What British traditions do you and your family uphold?

David Tang: Eating sprouts at Christmas.

Asia Tatler: What are your best and worst quintessentially-British character traits?

David Tang: Being reserved, but also having road rage.

Asia Tatler: What would you say is Britain’s most iconic landmark or symbol?

David Tang: The Union Jack.

Asia Tatler: There has been a lot of talk recently about the breakup of the union, with Scotland pushing for independence. What are your thoughts on that?

David Tang: I always prefer union to divorce.

Asia Tatler: How do you feel Hong Kong has changed since the handover? Do you think it will ever lose its British flavour entirely?

David Tang: Many more Chinese are coming to Hong Kong, but because of 150 years of British colonial history, her flavour will linger forever.

Asia Tatler: How good a job do you think London will do with the Olympics compared with Beijing in 2008?

David Tang: It won’t match Beijing’s Arirang, the mass gymnastics and artistic performance that the North Koreans have cultivated to perfection.

Asia Tatler: Any advice for British politicians on improving Sino-British relations?

David Tang: Be less greasy.

Asia Tatler: Do you think we will start to see reverse-colonialism in the years ahead? Will British culture start to be influenced more by China?

David Tang: I would call it China’s colonialism.

Asia Tatler: Would you describe yourself as a royalist?

David Tang: Yes.

Asia Tatler: How did it feel to receive your knighthood from Her Majesty?

David Tang: My mother was particularly proud.

Asia Tatler: When meeting the Queen, how should one behave?

David Tang: Be reverential and relaxed.

Asia Tatler: Describe the Queen in five words.

David Tang: She is absolutely bloody marvellous.

Asia Tatler: Do you think the British people’s relationship with the Queen and the royal family has changed since her coronation?

David Tang: Yes – via Diana.

Asia Tatler: Other than the perceived boost to the travel industry, what relevance does the royal family hold today?

David Tang: Romance.

Asia Tatler: What will you be doing to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

David Tang: I will be part of the flotilla.

Asia Tatler: Are you gifting Her Majesty anything in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee?

David Tang: That would be presumptuous.

Asia Tatler: In Her Majesty’s remarkable 60-year reign, which decade or time period do you remember most fondly?

David Tang: Every year is the same: the consistency is astounding.

Asia Tatler: What do you think is the Queen’s single greatest achievement during her reign?

David Tang: An unshakable sense of duty.

Asia Tatler: What lessons do you think we can learn from Her Majesty?

David Tang: To listen and be reticent.

Click here for the event photos from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee party in Conrad Hong Kong.