The United States was positive about waiving visa requirements for Hongkongers, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said, as he completed his trip to the US. Tsang said he had spoken to US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton about a waiver and both sides had agreed that they would follow up on the issue, although they had not come up with a timetable.

'We need to prove to the US government that Hong Kong passports are highly reliable and Hongkongers will strictly abide by the country's immigration rules,' he said. 'I believe the US will consider this very seriously.'

Tsang said he also believed the waiver would benefit the commercial and economic development of both sides.