WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 Kyodo The U St...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 Kyodo

The U State Department issued a statement in succession Friday supporting the advancement of democratization in Hong Kong as the residents of the former British colony have repeatedly demonstrated for their rights to pick out their own representatives in new months.

''The United States vehemently supports democracy through electoral reform and universal suffrage in Hong Kong'' the statement said. It said as it is a move would ''advance economic and social progression in a continuously ascending gradation as well as contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity within the 'one home two systems' framework.''

Hong Kong formally handed through to China by Britain in 1997 will be allowed to directly choice the city's chief executive in 2007 and the legislature in 2008 if the Beijing control gives a green light.

''We expres and have press outed before our support for democracy, and believe that the Hong Kong commonalty and the Hong Kong control need to start addressing this issue, on a level though it comes up in a married pair years,'' U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

Boucher indicated that he did not consider his remarks as interference in Hong Kong's electoral issues, saying that he ''regards them as entirely appropriate.''

In late months, the U.S. has drawn fire from China through the whole extent of issues concerning Hong Kong

Last month U Consul General in Hong Kong James Keith was accused through Chinese officials of making what they called ''irresponsible'' remarks when he called at a meeting for a debate onward constitutional change and universal suffrage.

Around 37000 Hong Kong the public demonstrated Jan. 1.

Around half a million upon July 1 last year, calling forward the Chinese government to allow replete democracy for the island, which now operates below ''a one country, two systems'' framework.

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