Perhaps Hongkongers are only wistful about the disappearing way of living and declining influence, rather than the colonial rule and its employees. Evidently, Patten is not best remembered for his contribution to democracy. In my opinion, he has a less noticeable legacy: many people have not bought into the CCP side of things because of his charisma. That alone means more than any veritable achievement to the people. If any puppet wishes to term it ‘sowing discord’, so be it. They may have a hard time pointing out where the umbilical cord is. Patten was then appointed the last governor of Hong Kong, to oversee the final years of British administration in the colony and prepare for its transfer to China in 1997. During his tenure, his government significantly expanded the territory's social welfare programmes and introduced democratic reforms to the electoral system. [3] krystalyang38 (22 September 2020). "Who is Lord Chris Patten?". The Millennial Source Ltd . Retrieved 28 March 2023. In May 2020, Patten said that there was a case for a multilateral mission to travel to Wuhan to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak. He argued the Chinese government had breached its obligations as a member of the World Health Organization and the 2005 International Health Regulations treaty. He also added that Britain and other countries were not against the Chinese nation or people, praising China's medical workers who first responded to the virus, but stated "It is our relationship with the dangerous and immoral Communist Party. In Wuhan the Communist party used the police to try and shut the doctors up. Totalitarian regimes always rely on secrecy and mendacity." [36] On Hong Kong [ edit ] It was a very interesting read. Getting a first hand account of Hong Kong's final years as a British colony. I also really liked the personal touch, especially finding out the on one of his birthdays in HK he went to Lamma Island and at at the pigeon restaurant, where my family and I often ate as well. While I found the book really interesting, I don't think somebody who hasn't lived in HK would find it that interesting. But the final chapter I found to be particularly interesting as Chris Patten gave his thoughts on the current situation in Hong Kong.

Cheung, Tony (25 November 2016). "Chris Patten warns Hong Kong pro-independence antics 'dilute support' for democracy". South China Morning Post.

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From 1998 to 1999, he chaired the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, better known as the Patten Commission, which had been established in 1998 as part of the Belfast Agreement. On 9 September 1999, the Commission produced its report, entitled A New Beginning: Policing in Northern Ireland and popularly known as the Patten Report, which contained 175 symbolic and practical recommendations. [25] This report led to the disbanding of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and establishment of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He is the co-chair of International Crisis Group, overseeing many international operations. He is also a member of the Global Leadership Foundation, an organisation which works to promote good governance around the world. On 23 May 2005 he was appointed by Cadbury as a non-executive director. [26] European Commissioner: 1999–2004 [ edit ] Patten (left) with Brian Cowen, Colin Powell and Javier Solana in March 2004

Britain truly imported the rule of law, an engine to bolster HK fortunes to be, prior its return to China, an economic pillar of the world. A debate on the “rule of law” vs “rule by law” is central in the book.Sir John Bowring ( Governor of Hong Kong 1854–1859) and Sir John Pope Hennessy ( Governor of Hong Kong 1877–1882) – a Conservative MP before he entered the Colonial Service – were predecessors. On 29 September 2005, he published his memoirs, Not Quite the Diplomat: Home Truths About World Affairs. In October 2009, Patten was Chief Guest at The Doon School, a boarding school in Dehradun, India, which is a member of the United Kingdom's Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. [54] Why I'm standing down from Parliament: Don Foster, MP for Bath". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022 . Retrieved 30 September 2021.

In March 2023, Patten was one of 47 British lawmakers to sign an open letter urging the Hong Kong authorities to release Claudia Mo on humanitarian grounds to visit her critically ill husband in hospital. [52] Personal life [ edit ]

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This book is simply a collection of his diary during his five years as the governor of Hong Kong. They are presented in chronological, or content-wise unorganised, manner that is difficult to follow by readers, even for Hong Kong indigenous people. As a lot of key historical events intersected and overlapped in the diary, without professional-level understanding in the last five years of Hong Kong colonial reign, it is probably gruelling and fruitless to complete the book. According to information from the US Embassy in Brussels (published by WikiLeaks in November 2010): Patten said in April 2004 that Russian President Vladimir Putin has done a good job for Russia mainly due to high world energy prices, but he had serious doubts about the man's character. Cautioning that "I'm not saying that genes are determinant," Patten then reviewed the Putin family history – grandfather part of Lenin's special protection team; father a communist party apparatchik, and Putin himself decided at a young age to pursue a career in the KGB. "He seems a completely reasonable man when discussing the Middle East or energy policy, but when the conversation shifts to Chechnya or Islamic extremism, Putin's eyes turn to those of a killer." Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, KG , CH , PC ( Chinese: 彭定康; [2] born 12 May 1944) is a British politician who was the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997 and Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1992. He was made a life peer in 2005 and has been Chancellor of the University of Oxford since 2003. He is one of the two living former governors of Hong Kong. The other is David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn. Having lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 10 years total in the 1970's and the late 80's / early 90's, and flown into the city for the 1997 handover, this was a book I just had to read. An old friend of mine was also Patten's spokesman for much of his governorship. Part of the reason that he despairs in watching our own democratic norms under threat – proroguing parliament, undermining the independence of the judiciary and the neutrality of the civil service, threatening to ignore treaties in Northern Ireland – is that he knows it makes it harder to criticise other regimes.

Patten is a Catholic and oversaw Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom in September 2010. In 2010, The Tablet named him as one of Britain's most influential Catholics. [55]Patten seems a consummately relaxed 78. Does he ever get mad, watching his life’s work, at home and abroad, unravel? Yet Patten is also very interested in maintaining his family life. The Diaries is full of sentiments and passions for his wife (Lavender) and three daughters (Kate, Laura and Alice). Patten dedicates his book to Lavender. He states that Lavender “gave up her career so that [he] could go to Hong Kong”. Lavender also helped him “hugely in his work as Governor,” and loved Hong Kong as much as he did. Indeed, The Diaries reveals Patten’s deep love for his three daughters, yet grounded in his views of individualism, independence, self-reliance, and venturing. Patten let his three children decide whether they lived in Hong Kong or not (pp.19-20). The ethnocentric view of culture argues that we evaluate other cultures solely by the values and standards of our own culture. The cultural clashes between Chris Patten and Chinese delegates are revealed in terms of their family values, communication skills, negotiation strategies, and contractual arrangements. Broadly speaking, they reflect cultural differences between the East and West. From this perspective, Patten’s book makes much sense. Therefore, to resolve the ongoing chaotic situation in Hong Kong, understanding differences in cultural values between China and the UK is of utmost importance. The Patten Report on Policing: Summary of Recommendations, 9September 1999". CAIN. 9 September 1999. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008 . Retrieved 30 June 2010.