HK's new leader visits Malaysia

HK's new leader visits Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Hong Kong's new leader arrived in Malaysia yesterday on his first foreign tour since taking power after Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule on July 1.

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and his five-member delegation met with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and other officials before a reception at the Chinese Embassy.

Tung told reporters after his meeting with Mahathir that he briefed the prime minister on the "very smooth" transition from British to Chinese rule in Hong Kong.

"We are moving forward with pride and confidence," he said. Tung said trade relations with Malaysia were stronger than ever. "As you know, Hong Kong has very important trade relations with Malaysia, which have been growing at the rate of about 25 percent per annum," Tung said.