What's next for Chris Patten?

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- The last governor of Hong Kong and former British politician has an incomparable CV, and during a life in politics has gained more than his fair share of titles and nicknames; from the affectionate "Fai Pang" ("fat Patten") in Hong Kong to the less flattering "Whore of the East" among pro-Chinese press.

Eleven years after his most high-profile job came to its natural conclusion -- "nothing could beat being Governor of Hong Kong" -- the attentions of Lord Patten of Barnes are no less focused on global affairs than they were when he was dealing with Beijing on a daily basis.

"The next decades, in my judgment, you are not going to see a hegemonic struggle between America and China. What they should see is collaboration between America and China to deal with some of the biggest problems on our plates," he told CNN during his recent return to Hong Kong.

Patten grew up in a middle class suburb of West London -- "I should be able to sue for deprivation of literary royalties because I had an extremely happy childhood" -- before going to Oxford University.

It was only when he was caught up in the excitement of the American presidential elections while in the States on a scholarship that he thought about a career in politics.

At 30, he was in charge of the UK Conservative Party's research department leading up to the 1979 election when he first became Member of Parliament.

He has a new book that takes on the problems and possibilities of the early 21st century in a grand sweep, but it's clear that Patten is far from heading towards his dotage by solely trading on past glories and undertaking book tours.

The chancellorship of the University of Oxford takes up a third of his time, but he's also co-chair of Brussels-based non-governmental organization International Crisis Group.

While his time as governor of Hong Kong has a special place in his affections, by his own admission his jobs after losing his place in the British parliament were all fascinating in their own right.

"I did quite well with being thrown out of my constituency [in 1992]," he said.

From 1997 he spent five years as the EU's commissioner for external relations followed by the task of reorganizing the police force in Northern Ireland after the Good Friday Agreement.

"The police service of Northern Ireland today has implemented the reforms we proposed and had been taken out of the Centrex of political debate. So I think it was a great success but it was a very difficult challenge."

As someone who has had first hand experience of dealing with delicate situations and tough tests he's well qualified to assess the prospects of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama.

"He's a new generation. Not burdened with the baggage of the Cold War or Vietnam, or the Gulf War. An Internet generation politician. And somebody who will be able to deal with the problems of the 21st century without being weighed down by the history of the twentieth. What a hugely important and difficult job he has."

As for Patten himself, he's fairly certain Hong Kong will be his legacy.

"It's hard to think I'll be most remembered for leaving a job rather than doing a job," he said.

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