On the record: Chief Executive Donald Tsang gives details of his meeting with President Hu Jintao. "He asked me not to change - including my bow-ties."

Chief Executive Donald Tsang told Foreign Correspondents' Club members today that press freedom is "one of our greatest assets as Asia's world city". At the end of a lively question-and-answer session following his address, he gave a candid account of a closed-door meeting he had in Beijing with President Hu Jintao ahead of his swearing-in.

"I had a very interesting conversation with the president. He was very kind to me and he talked genuinely with me for over an hour," Mr Tsang said.

"The first thing he talked about was, he knew about my stubbornness, he knew about the way I would behave and how I worked, and how I directed myself during my public-service career. He asked me not to change - including my bow-ties."

Mr Hu also told him he knew Mr Tsang might have opposition here "from all sorts of circles. He told me that he would support me and back me up," Mr Tsang said.

"The third thing is, he said, 'you must care for the people of Hong Kong, listen to their views and do what you can'."

This advice, Mr Tsang said, was further evidence that the 'One country, two systems' principle was working.

"It's not a question of 'two systems' constantly at war with 'one country'. In fact, we derive the best of being part of a big nation, China, in terms of trade, in terms of political stability, in terms of continued prosperity. But we also derive enormous benefits from the 'two systems', in preserving our way of life," he said, responding to an earlier query.

"Everything we stand for - the way I answer questions, the way I'm allowed to be questioned, and the way that we all behave as an international community, the freedoms we enjoy, the level playing field, a clean government and everything that goes with it - they are all here. They are enhanced, in my view, since 1997. And I will keep it that way in my term, until the very last day of my term and beyond, I hope."

Asked to describe the top problems he would like to address in his term of office, Mr Tsang agreed that air pollution is a continual uphill battle. But he added how to instil a sense of greater confidence in Hong Kong people was uppermost in his mind.

"They have enormous resources and they represent very important assets to the community in this part of the world," he said. He would like to see them have "greater confidence in themselves, a greater confidence in the community in which we live and perhaps greater confidence in the ability of the government to govern."

The club had invited Mr Tsang to speak on Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and relations with the Mainland. His 20-minute formal address noted that there has been a distinct pick-up in overseas coverage of Hong Kong.

"We have tracked more than 5,700 stories concerning Hong Kong since the beginning of the year. We are counting them. For the same period last year, the figure was 4,500 - so, that's a 25% jump," he said.

"Most coverage this year - in fact an overwhelming majority - is either balanced and neutral, or positive. Many positive stories relate to our rebounding economic fortunes, or reflect the upsurge in interest in Hong Kong. BusinessWeek recently ran a cover story with the banner headline, Hong Kong: It's Back!. The tone was decidedly upbeat. Please keep it that way."

He noted that as a political leader, taking the criticism along with the compliments, is part and parcel of his job: "A politician who complains about the media is like a sailor who complains about the sea. If you can't stand the sting of salt water on your face, you should not be on deck in the first place."

The Government takes criticisms and constructive comments seriously, he said, because they are the building blocks of public perceptions about our governance. In formulating policy, it is key to take public opinion into account.

"A small percentage of the international stories so far this year - we estimate less than 5% - we would rate negative," he said. "If there is a factual error in any of the reports, or if we feel that the perception is not right, we will respond. We will restate our point of view and let the readers make up their own minds for themselves."

Mr Tsang noted that in the run-up to 1997, there was a feeling that after the handover, Hong Kong would no longer be a story, or would lose its relevance.

"Hong Kong did remain a story, whether by accident or design. I believe we always will be a story. The extent of coverage itself sends a message about Hong Kong - it tells the world that this is a city worth watching. That this is a city with a special place in the world. That this is a city with a future," he said.

That future is entwined with the Mainland's - and that's a story people overseas are eager to hear.

"When I talk to these different audiences overseas they all want to know how Hong Kong fits into the equation of an emerging China. They want background and context. They want to understand more fully how 'one country, two systems' is being implemented. They want a reassurance that we have retained all of our unique advantages - our common law system, our clean government, a level playing field, and a low tax system. They're all here. And they want to learn more about the interplay between the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Central Government," Mr Tsang said.

"It is absolutely clear to most people I speak with that our ongoing success as Asia's world city depends on playing to our strengths, and maintaining an open, frank, strong and deep relationship with the Central Government.

"Our national leaders have a deep-felt and genuine concern for our well being and prosperity. They want us to succeed. They know we are different, with special characteristics found nowhere else in the Mainland. When the Central Government embarks upon a review or reform of its systems - for example, its legal system or its financial systems - Hong Kong is often the first place they look to. We are a ready-made reservoir of international best practice."

Mr Tsang concluded: "Hong Kong's prosperity, stability and relations with the Mainland all hinge on the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. This is not a subject that is often written about, per se. But, the net effect of international reporting on Hong Kong does leave a lasting impression about how well the concept is being implemented."

For a full account of Mr Tsang's speech, click here.