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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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China lashes out at U.S. Senate over Hong Kong BEIJING, June 26 (Reuters) China's Foreign Ministry lashed out at a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate supporting democratic reform in Hong Kong days before a planned mass protest in the city to press for political freedoms. Several hundred thousand people in the former British colony, which reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, are expected to take to the streets on Thursday to demand greater democracy for the free-wheeling capitalist hub. The Senate resolution passed earlier this week showed "rude interference" in China and Hong Kong's internal affairs, the official People's Daily on Saturday quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue as saying. "The Chinese side is firmly opposed to this," Zhang said. The resolution said Hong Kong people should be free to determine the pace and scope of constitutional developments, according to the Web site of U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, www.brownback.senate.gov. China had frustrated the process towards universal suffrage and democratic election of Hong Kong's legislature and chief executive, the resolution said. Many in Hong Kong are angry after Beijing ruled out full, free elections in the near future, accusing China of breaking a promise to allow the city wide-ranging autonomy after it returned to Chinese rule. China now names the territory's chief executive and allows direct elections for fewer than half of its legislators. Beijing fears demands for more democracy could quickly spill over into mainland China or even lead to calls for Hong Kong to split from China. |
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