White House supports universal suffrage in Hong Kong

The US White House has given the Occupy Hong Kong protest movement a stamp of approval.

In response to a petition that has received over 196,000 signatures, the Obama Administration made a statement saying that they have been “watching the situation closely” and that they support universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

The White House concluded by saying that the legitimacy of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive would be enhanced if an “election provides the people of Hong Kong a genuine choice of candidates representative of the voters’ will.”

That line is a reference to the fact that all candidates for Hong Kong Chief Executive must be approved by the Communist Party of China.

The complete statement is here:

We are watching the situation in Hong Kong closely. Around the world, the United States supports internationally recognized fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to exercise restraint, and for protestors to express their views peacefully.

The United States supports universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and we support the aspirations of the Hong Kong people. We believe that an open society, with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by the rule of law, is essential for Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity – indeed this is what has made Hong Kong such a successful and truly global city. We have consistently made our position known to Beijing, and we will continue to do so.

We believe that the legitimacy of the Chief Executive will be greatly enhanced if the Basic Law’s ultimate aim of selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage is fulfilled and if the election provides the people of Hong Kong a genuine choice of candidates representative of the voters’ will.

WATCH COCONUTS TV’S COVERAGE OF OCCUPY HONG KONG:

 

 

MORE OCCUPY HONG KONG:

The Great Firewall of China: Internet activists go stealth as China steps up censorship of Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong’s National Day flag raising undisturbed, but Occupy Central protestors kept away

Cyber experts uncover ‘Chinese written’ malware used to spy on Hong Kong protestors’ phones

Defiant Hong Kong protesters vow to stay put despite heavy rain

Occupy Central tell supporters to stay steadfast and guard ‘Democracy Squares’

 

 

 

 



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