*EPF501 01/09/2004
Text: U.S. Supports Electoral Reform, Universal Suffrage in Hong Kong
(State Department January 9 statement) (130)

Following is the text of a statement issued by the Department of State January 9 on democracy in Hong Kong:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
January 9, 2004

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Democracy in Hong Kong

Recent events, such as the July 1, 2003 and January 1, 2004 demonstrations, reflect the desire of the people of Hong Kong to advance the democratization process, as provided for under the Basic Law.

The United States strongly supports democracy through electoral reform and universal suffrage in Hong Kong. These will advance economic and social development and are essential to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability within the "one country, two systems" framework.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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