LONDON, Oct 22: British Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa to Downing Street on Wednesday and told him hdetermined to start a new chapter in relations with China following the former colony's hand-over. He also told Beijing-appointed Tung that he was considering the possibility of visiting China next autumn, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.Blair and Tung had a 45-minute meeting which Downing Street described as "warm and friendly" and Tung characterised as "useful and cordial."Tung, who is on a two-day visit to London, said the talks covered subjects of interest to the UK and Hong Kong. This is Tung's first official visit to Britain since taking office after Chris Patten, the last British governor left, and the latest in a series of overseas tours he has undertaken to reassure Hong Kong's trading partners that the former British colony remains free and prosperous.Tung gave Blair an upbeat assessment of Hong Kong since the hand-over four months ago and said the economy was doing well and that both China and the people of Hong Kong were keen to make a success of the new situation, Downing Street said.They also discussed the elections for a new Legislative Council for Hong Kong scheduled for next May, which have been criticised because of new arrangements that severely reduce the electorate's size. However neither side was willing to comment.These changes have been attacked by Human Rights Watch and democrats in Hong Kong who claim the new laws question the right to participate in government through a free and fair election process and undermine established human right protection.While business is the main thrust of Tung's London visit - which includes a meeting with Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on Wednesday - the Downing Street meeting allowed both sides to discuss developments since the July 1 hand-over.
