Washington, 15 September 1997 (RFE/RL) - The White House says President Bill Clinton in a meeting last week with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa expressed disappointment at election reforms there.
White House spokesman Michael McCurry said Clinton was referring to changes made in Hong Kong's legislative council that existed prior to the turnover of Hong Kong to China in July.
McCurry said Clinton told Tung that the U.S. will be watching events closely when it comes to political status of institutions in Hong Kong.
He said that at the same time, Clinton told Tung the U.S. was encouraged that so far, basic freedoms such as freedom of the press, speech and the right to demonstrate were being protected. McCurry said Clinton indicated that was a source of great concern to the American people and would be one that he as president on behalf of the American people would obviously continue to follow closely.