In a whirlwind one-day visit today (Thursday, US time), the Chief Executive Mr Tung Chee Hwa has been spreading the Hong Kong Success Story to influential groups of business leaders and policy makers in New York.

Within the space of 14 hours, Mr Tung told almost 2,000 people how Hong Kong was moving ahead 'with pride and confidence' after the reversion to Chinese sovereignty.

In another tight round of engagements, Mr Tung held a breakfast briefing with the Council on Foreign Relations, spoke with the editorial boards of the 'Wall Street Journal' and 'New York Times', met with the Council of 100 and attended a reception by the Chinese Community in New York.

His day included two keynote speeches, each of which included Question and Answer sessions lasting more than 20 minutes, as well as another press conference for the US and travelling Hong Kong media.

A luncheon address to the Asia Society was attended by more than 550 people, while a black-tie dinner hosted by the influential Economic Club of New York attracted almost 1,000 of its members and guests.

Areas of common interest in all of Mr Tung's meetings and briefings included Hong Kong's continued economic development, the HK-US dollar link, democratic and political evolution in Hong Kong, relations with China and Taiwan and human rights.

He stressed Hong Kong was committed to following the pace of democratic evolution over the next decade as set out in the Basic Law.

"The progress we will achieve in 10 years from 1997 of democratic process will be far more comprehensive and far-reaching than what we had achieved under 156 years of colonialism," he said.

"Is a period of 10 years too long for this evolutionary process, a process that is critical to Hong Kong's success or failure and of which we in Hong Kong, and no one else will bear the full consequences?

"I appreciate this is an issue of concern in the US. However, let me emphasise this point - at the end of the day, we must move forward in what we, the people of Hong Kong, think is in the best long-term interests of Hong Kong.

"And would you expect me to do no less?

"I believe we have struck the right balance."

Mr Tung also stressed he was committed to making the concept of 'one country, two systems' work since 'success in Hong Kong can serve as a significant step towards the greater and final objective of reunification of the entire nation'.

Mr Tung leaves for Washington tomorrow (Friday, US time) for a scheduled meeting with US President Bill Clinton.

During his press conference today, Mr Tung said: "I am looking forward to the visit. I will tell you all about it when I come out."

Photo 1: Chief Executive at the Council on Foreign Affairs
Photo 2: Chief Executive addresses the Asia Society