U.S. issues statement in support of H.K. democracy

Asian Economic News, Jan 12, 2004

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 Kyodo

The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Friday supporting the advancement of democratization in Hong Kong, as the residents of the former British colony have repeatedly demonstrated for their rights to choose their own representatives in recent months.

''The United States strongly supports democracy through electoral reform and universal suffrage in Hong Kong,'' the statement said. It said such a move would ''advance economic and social development as well as contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity within the 'one country, two systems' framework.''

Hong Kong, formally handed over to China by Britain in 1997, will be allowed to directly elect the city's chief executive in 2007 and the legislature in 2008 if the Beijing government gives a green light.

''We express and have expressed before our support for democracy, and believe that the Hong Kong people and the Hong Kong government need to start addressing this issue, even though it comes up in a couple years,'' U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

Boucher indicated that he did not consider his remarks as interference in Hong Kong's electoral issues, saying that he ''regards them as entirely appropriate.''

In recent months, the U.S. has drawn fire from China over issues concerning Hong Kong.

Last month, U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong James Keith was accused by Chinese officials of making what they called ''irresponsible'' remarks when he called at a meeting for a debate on constitutional change and universal suffrage.

Around 37,000 Hong Kong people demonstrated Jan. 1.

Around half a million on July 1 last year, calling on the Chinese government to allow full democracy for the island, which now operates under ''a one country, two systems'' framework.