Despite harsh criticism in the United States at the onset of his China trip, the first by an American president since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre soured US-Sino relations, Clinton said it had been "a very productive trip for the people of the United States and the people of China." "We have a fundamental interest in promoting stability and prosperity in Asia. Our future is tied to Asia's," he said in remarks to a gathering of Hong Kong and US business leaders.

"Now clearly, at the dawn of the 21st Century, our futures are inextricably bound together. Bound by a mutual interest in seeking to free future generations from the spectre of war, we must make it our mission to avoid another," he said. Clinton has insisted that engagement with China was key to avoiding the kinds of militarytensions that have erupted for decades, noting that Beijing now was working with Washington to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to stop additional nuclear testing by India and Pakistan.

"Of course, our security is also enormously enhanced by a positive partnership with a prosperous, stable, increasingly open China working with us," Clinton declared. Clinton's visit to Hong Kong, his fourth to the financial trading centre but the first ever by a sitting US president, was designed to underscore the future that awaits mainland China - which for centuries has tried to keep out foreign influences. Clinton has tried to walk a fine line between prodding China into reform and honouring its past.

He began his five-city trip in Xi'an, the ancient capital, and ended it with visits to the skyscrapers of Shanghai and Hong Hong, which was marking the first anniversary of its control by Beijing.

Clinton tried to avoid stepping on Chinese sensibilities by avoiding meeting Chinese dissidents. He even tried totemper his meeting with Martin Lee, a strong champion for democracy in Hong Kong and a thorn in the side of Chinese officials.

Initially, White House officials said there would be no press access to the session with Lee, a Hong Kong legislator, on Friday, but relented slightly by allowing photographers into the session.

The pool of reporters, normally permitted to witness such a meeting was banned, however. Lee and other pro-democracy politicians were ousted from Hong Kong's legislature after Britain handed over the former colony last year. Pro-democracy candidates, including Lee, were swept back into the legislature in the first elections under Chinese rule in May and he has referred to himself since as the only elected leader in Hong Kong.

In his remarks to the business officials, Clinton said it "was clear" that the United States supports China's economic growth and integration with the rest of the world. He said Washington "very much" wants China to become a member of the World Trade Organisation(WTO) that seeks to promote free trade among all nations and said he expected to overcome existing areas of contention. "I think we'll work this out," said Clinton.

The United States has taken the lead in negotiating with China over the conditions necessary for admission to WTO. US officials had hoped to make progress during Clinton's visit, but efforts stalled amid Chinese concerns that changes required by the WTO would aggravate its unemploymentsituation and add strains on China's economy. Following a news conference and some sightseeing in Hong Kong, Clinton was to return to Washington on July 4, in time for Independence Day observances in the United States.