British Foreign Secretary ends visits to China and Hong Kong

The British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook has ended a brief visit to Hong Kong declaring renewed confidence for the future of the former British colony, now under Chinese rule.

Mr Cook, who arrived in Hong Kong after visiting Beijing, said that he was satisfied China was honouring commitments to allow Hong Kong a substantial degree of autonomy.

During his stay, Mr Cook called on Asian governments which have been affected by economic turbulence to reform their economies and create more democratic societies.

He said that successful economies depended as much on honest, democratic government as they did on good banking regulations and fiscal policy.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service