Patten calls on leaders

FORTUNE GLOBAL FORUM

HONGKONG Governor Chris Patten held discussions with Singapore leaders on issues including Hongkong’s future yesterday.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said he met Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Patten, in Singapore to address the Fortune Global Forum, spoke on developments in the transfer of Hongkong to China in 1997.

“It was noted that an overwhelming majority of Hongkongers wish to see a smooth and successful transition in Hongkong,”said the spokesman. They also discussed China’s efforts to sustain its rapid economic development and were “confident that China would remain stable and continue to make steady progress”.

Mr Goh briefed the governor on the Europe-Asia summit proposal. Mr Patten left for Hongkong last night.