Daily Press Briefing

Richard Boucher, Spokesman

Washington, DC

March 26, 2004

 

QUESTION: On Hong Kong. The -- China said that it's going to review two parts of the constitution, the parts that involve the choosing of the leader and the legislative council. It seems like that's going back on that promise to give Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy. Is it something you're concerned about? Do you --

 

MR. BOUCHER: I haven't seen this particular Chinese statement. This is something that the United States has been concerned about for some time. We've supported the provisions of basic law that provide for universal suffrage at the next round of choosing the next chief executive.

 

We've always made clear our view. We think that that needs to be in a democratic fashion, that democracy is the way the Hong Kong people -- is what -- the Hong Kong people deserve democracy, and we've always supported it.

 

We've always made clear what our interests are in this situation, as well, that a stable, autonomous Hong Kong with the openness of society and openness of markets and the rule of law that it's always had is very important to us, and it's also very important to China and, of course, to the people of Hong Kong.

 

For the full transcript, please see enclosed.