Former US president Mr Bill Clinton isbelieved to have met for about an hour today with ChinesePresident Jiang Zemin in low-key private talks on the sidelines of a global economic forum here.
Journalists at the scene said Clinton waved to the press as heleft Jiang's hotel in a black BMW at 11.45 a.m. (4.45 a.m. Irish time), an hourand 15 minutes after arriving amid tight security.
His motorcade had arrived earlier just as Thai Prime Minister Mr Thaksin Shinawatra left President Jiang's hotel after talks between the new Thai premier and the Chinese leader.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Mr Tung Chee-hwa was also seen drivingoff.
The apparent talks between President Jiang and Mr Clinton come at a time whenSino-US relations havenose-dived since the accession of President Bush.
Mr Clinton and President Jiang met on several occasions when Mr Clinton was inthe White House.
Yesterday the Chinese-language daily Singtaosaid President Jiang wasexpected to tell Mr Clinton China felt no animosity towards the USand that he hoped Mr Clinton would use his influence in the USpolitical arena to promote more friendly bilateral relations.
The White House said Mr Clinton was travelling to Hong Kong asa "private citizen" and was not bearing any message from Bush toChina.
AFP