The secretaries of the Hong Kong government do not, and should not, publicly opine on whether the US should or should not postpone their November presidential elections – this is a matter for the applicable legislation and the citizens of the United States. Similarly, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo should not interfere in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, particularly the timing of its political elections (“ Mike Pompeo urges Hong Kong to reverse decision to suspend election ”, August 2). If the people of Hong Kong have concerns that the election process might aggravate the spread of the Covid-19 virus, it is for them – and for them only – to decide whether it is appropriate to defer the autumn elections. Pompeo might note that Hong Kong, even though geographically close to where the novel coronavirus outbreak was originally reported , has an impressive record in dealing with the spread of the disease, which is in total contrast to the situation in the US . Neither Pompeo nor the US administration has any right or mandate to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs, particularly in its electoral processes. David Paterson, Mid-Levels