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The United States' senior diplomat in Hong Kong has expressed 'serious concern' about proposed restrictions on street marches, joining the growing chorus of criticism of the civil liberties crackdown.

 Consul-General Richard Boucher said: 'As Americans we tend to take the attitude that if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

 In an interview with the South China Morning Post he denied Chinese accusations of US interference in Hong Kong and said Washington was seeking to protect its 'significant' interests in the territory.

 He said the United States was watching closely the outcome of the consultation process for the civil liberties amendments, which ends on Wednesday, as a barometer of Hong Kong's post-handover autonomy.

 'We do have serious concerns about any changes to civil liberties laws,' said Mr Boucher.

 'Frankly, we don't see the disruption in social order that's feared.'  Chief Executive-designate Tung Chee-hwa had called for Hong Kong people to get a balance between individual rights and social order.

 'We think civil liberties are an essential part of Hong Kong's overall environment and they need to be protected on the same level as they have been in the past,' said Mr Boucher.

 On proposals to make it illegal for political groups to accept donations from foreigners, the Consul-General was reluctant to comment following the furore in the United States over Asian political donations to the Democrats.

 'That's something that as an American given what's currently going on in my country that I should be very humble in commenting on,' he said with a laugh.

 'We're interested in the process but it's not for us to determine what the law should be here.'  He did not believe the election funding controversy had damaged the United States' reputation in Hong Kong.

 Mr Boucher said Washington was implementing a 'framework of relations' with Hong Kong in areas where it would enjoy autonomy after the handover.

 Denying accusations from Beijing of meddling in Hong Kong, he said Washington wanted China to implement agreements made in the Basic Law and Joint Declaration.

 'We're not imposing standards from outside. We're not trying to tell people what to do. We're not trying to insert ourselves into local politics to determine the outcome.'  US interests include a substantial business and economic presence with more than 1,200 US companies based in Hong Kong, personal links with more than 37,000 Americans in the territory, law enforcement co-operation and warship visits.



Envoy stresses US anxiety on civil liberties