Patten illness boosts shares

HONG KONG (Reuter) - Doctors said Chris Patten faced no medical obstacle to remaining Governor of Hong Kong after a heart operation yesterday, but his condition buoyed a share market affected by his controversial democratic reform proposals.

Prices on Hong Kong's stock exchange, hit recently by Mr Patten's bitter row with China over his plans, rose in response to news of his illness - not the success of the treatment. Stock analysts said Mr Patten's illness had increased confidence on a market where many investors accuse him of being too confrontational.