'Sinner' at it again, this time subtly Patten says full democracy is just a matter of time while praising mainland.

(From South China Morning Post)

Byline: Ambrose Leung

Former governor Chris Patten yesterday said he believed the introduction of full democracy in Hong Kong was only a matter of time, while heaping praise on China, which once branded him "a sinner for a thousand years".

Returning to Hong Kong amid the controversy surrounding constitutional reform, Lord Patten met leading businessmen at the General Chamber of Commerce, and then students at the University of Hong Kong to discuss his favourite topic: politics.

On a four-day visit to the city, he strove to avoid being seen as yet another foreigner meddling in China's internal affairs but did …