This was said yesterday by a Hong Kong think-tank following its return from a visit to the United States.

The Better Hong Kong Foundation delegation, which visited Washington, New York and Los Angeles from June 19 to 25, also said the high-profile Americans they spoke to were impressed by the SAR's role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world. And they expect Hong Kong to play an even greater role in this respect after China's WTO accession.

The main purpose of the mission was to brief the US about the latest political and economic developments in Hong Kong, foundation Chief Executive George Yuen said at a press conference on their recent trip.

"Apart from Hong Kong's investment outlook, with particular reference to China joining the WTO, we also touched on a number of other subjects, including Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games and the US Congressional Report on Hong Kong," he said.

Yuen said during their meeting with Bill Rhodes, vice-chairman of the Citibank Group, in New York, the banker said US businessmen are full of confidence in Hong Kong's economic future.

"The US economy, though slowing now, is set to rebound by the end of the year or early 2002 after several interest rate cuts since the positive effects of rate cuts will only surface after three to six months," he said.

"By that time, Hong Kong's economy, which is so closely linked to the US economy, will improve, while China's WTO accession will bring about bountiful business opportunities, he quoted Rhodes as saying.

On Beijing's Olympic bid, Yuen said he was told by Senators Ted Stevens and Daniel Inouye that a resolution was introduced that encourages the International Olympic Committee to keep politics out of its decision and sports.

Delegation member and former Solicitor-General Daniel Fung said as this is their first US mission since Bush took office, the trip provided opportunities for them to get to know the new US officials.

Fung said he promoted to the US people Hong Kong's strengths as a level-playing field, free flow of information, a corruption-free government and society and rule of law.