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EU must push for transition to open society, says Patten

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The European Union must upgrade its political dialogue with China and engage the country further, Chris Patten said on his second visit to the mainland as European Commissioner for External Relations.

Hong Kong's last governor addressed a lunch at the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing and poked fun at himself and his fractious ties with the Chinese leadership, but stressed the need for dialogue.

'To speak frankly,' he said with a weighty pause for laughter, 'China is not always an easy partner for the European Union or for you.

'But it is in our interests to work to solve problems and engage at all levels.'

China had once heaped abuse on Mr Patten, calling him 'a sinner of a thousand years' during a confrontation over electoral reform in Hong Kong during his tenure as the last governor.

Mr Patten said the EU must support a transition to an open society and push for human rights in China.

This, he stressed, was not just his obsession or a European one, but a global issue.

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