The reaction of the British prime minister to the political controversy in Hong Kong will be eagerly awaited
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will be urged to speak up for democracy in Hong Kong when he arrives tomorrow.
Mr Blair left South Korea and arrived in Beijing last night, where he is scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Jiang Zemin, the chairman of the Central Military Commission, during his two-day visit.
Mr Blair will then travel to Hong Kong to meet Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, lawmakers, investors, business leaders and students, to round off a week-long visit to the United States and the Far East.
Britain's response to the political turmoil in Hong Kong, including the growing aspirations for democracy in the wake of the Article 23 controversy and the rally involving 500,000 people on July 1, is being eagerly awaited and is expected to be the highlight of his stay.
It is understood that Mr Blair will deliver a speech on Wednesday, the day Legco resumes its scrutiny of the last-minute concessions to the national security laws and discusses how the new round of public consultation promised by Mr Tung should proceed.