Britain last night said there would be 'no diminution' of its determination to uphold the principles and promises of the Joint Declaration.
In the first of a series of six-monthly reports to Parliament monitoring developments in Hong Kong, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook welcomed the announcement of elections to a new legislature next May and said that only through them could China return to an unambiguous compliance with the Joint Declaration.
'It is important that they should be free and fair, and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong,' said Mr Cook.
The report says that Britain will take a close interest in the arrangements for the elections and the manner in which they are carried out.
It also says that the UK 'will be vigilant' in ensuring that the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people are maintained.
A government spokesman responded that the SAR Government was committed to the full implementation of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.