Hong Kong  - Hong Kong people are now happier with China's leaders than at any time since the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule 12 years ago, according to a survey Thursday.

Fifty-eight per cent of people interviewed said they were satisfied with the Beijing government's performance, the highest level recorded in the regular polls since the 1997 handover.

Confidence levels in individual leaders was at a record high as well with 84 per cent saying they approved of Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's performance and a 73-per-cent approval rate for President Hu Jintao.

Hong Kong has grown steadily closer to China in political terms since the 1997 handover when many feared Beijing would crush freedoms in the wealthy city of 7 million.

Hong Kong retains political and judicial autonomy from China under a "one country two systems" arrangement but moves towards full democracy have been reined in by Beijing.

Currently, only half the city's 60 legislators are directly elected while Hong Kong's chief executive is picked by an 800-member largely pro-China election committee. (dpa)