White House calls for ‘genuine choice’ in Hong Kong elections after petition attracts 200,000 signatures
The White House has responded to a petition calling upon it to “press the Chinese government to honour its promise of democratic elections to the Hong Kong citizenry.”
“We are watching the situation in Hong Kong closely,” the White House said in its statement. “Around the world the United States supports internationally recognised fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to exercise restraint, and for protesters to express their views peacefully.”
The statement reiterates US support for universal suffrage in Hong Kong “in accordance with the Basic Law.”
“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,” it continues.
Any petition on the White House website getting more than 100,000 signatures within 30 days would receive an official response from the Obama administration.
Though the statement does not specifically mention the nominating committee for candidates for the chief executive election, which is a main sticking point with pro-democracy protesters, it states that the “legitimacy of the Chief Executive will be greatly enhanced … if the election provides the people of Hong Kong a genuine choice of candidates representative of the voters’ will.”