Clear understanding: Chief Executive Donald Tsang meets US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington, DC.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says his North American visit has brought an excellent opportunity to engage a host of business and political leaders in friendly, frank and useful exchanges on Hong Kong's future.

Mr Tsang met US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday and also briefed the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

He discussed the WTO 6th Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December, avian flu contingency plans, intellectual property rights protection and anti-terrorism measures.

"All of these subjects are close to the heart of Americans. Overall, I believe I have completed my mission in Washington. I met as many think tanks, and as many people in business, in government and in congress as possible within the time available," he said.

Misunderstandings cleared

Mr Tsang added: "I think I have dispelled certain misunderstandings. I can see their excitement concerning the rapid economic recovery of Hong Kong. I am sure it might lead to further investment and further exchanges between Hong Kong and the US. On the whole, it was very busy, very occupied, but I think it was very worthwhile."

Mr Tsang said he had very candid and frank exchanges on the question of political development in Hong Kong.

"We discussed constitutional development. There have been different reactions, most of them very supportive of the measures we have taken to go forward in reaching universal suffrage. As far as the speed of democratisation is concerned, we have some positive support. For instance, yesterday Vice President Cheney was very supportive and very positive. I also had a discussion with Secretary of State Rice on this matter. I agree entirely with her that we should quickly discuss the form of the legislature, the constitutional legislature, under the universal suffrage system. I assured her we are pursuing this in the Commission for Strategic Development where there is a specific panel to pursue this."

Mr Tsang said he had done a lot of soul-searching, and put himself in the position of a lawmaker who may oppose the political reform proposals. On reflection he could not find any rational reason why a lawmaker should reject the recommendations of the reform package. He also felt his plans to nurture political talent at the district level, as outlined in his Policy Address, is the right direction for Hong Kong.