Businessmen vent fury in letter

Business leaders last night issued an open letter to Prime Minister John Major, criticising the Governor's attacks on Hong Kong's business community.

The letter, published today in seven leading newspapers including the South China Morning Post, was signed by seven business associations and claimed Chris Patten had done a great disservice to the territory.

But the groups - the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, the Business and Professionals Federation, the Hong Kong Exporters' Association and the New Territories Commercial and Industrial General Association - stopped short of calling for Mr Patten's recall to London.

Instead, they expressed 'profound disappointment' at comments made by Mr Patten during his North American tour, specifically remarks in an interview with Newsweek magazine.

Referring to Mr Patten's claim that he had never used words such as 'betrayal' or 'kowtow' in the report, they regretted he had given the impression that local businessmen did not have Hong Kong's interests at heart.

Mr Patten had cast doubts on their integrity and 'undermined' their contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong.

His attack, and references to businessmen having 'foreign passports', were inappropriate and divisive, they said.