Former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten (R) is greeted by supporters.(Reuters)
Washington:
The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, is to address a US government commission on Thursday on prospects for democracy in the territory, something likely to irritate Beijing which sees protests there as an internal matter.
Patten will address the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, a panel of nine senators, nine house members and five senior US administration officials set up in 2000 to monitor human rights in China. He will speak in a satellite link from Britain.
Members of the bipartisan commission put forward a bill last week calling for renewed U.S. commitment to democracy and autonomy in Hong Kong.
The bill would update a 1992 act that treats Hong Kong differently to China on trade and economic matters, and require President Barack Obama to certify that Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous before enacting new laws or agreements.
Patten has accused Britain of not putting enough pressure on China to stick to a pact on the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty because it was worried about damaging trade links.
China resumed control of the British colony in 1997 through a "one country, two systems" formula that allows wide-ranging autonomy and specifies universal suffrage as an eventual goal.
But Beijing said in August it would effectively screen candidates for city leader, prompting street protests by pro-democracy activists.
China's Foreign Ministry has dismissed comments by Patten on developments in Hong Kong, accusing him of trying to incite "illegal" protests, and said foreigners should not meddle.
In a speech in Brisbane last weekend, Obama pledged to stand up for human rights in the region and said in Hong Kong protesters were "speaking out for their universal rights."
Patten will address the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, a panel of nine senators, nine house members and five senior US administration officials set up in 2000 to monitor human rights in China. He will speak in a satellite link from Britain.
Members of the bipartisan commission put forward a bill last week calling for renewed U.S. commitment to democracy and autonomy in Hong Kong.
The bill would update a 1992 act that treats Hong Kong differently to China on trade and economic matters, and require President Barack Obama to certify that Hong Kong is sufficiently autonomous before enacting new laws or agreements.
Patten has accused Britain of not putting enough pressure on China to stick to a pact on the transfer of Hong Kong's sovereignty because it was worried about damaging trade links.
China resumed control of the British colony in 1997 through a "one country, two systems" formula that allows wide-ranging autonomy and specifies universal suffrage as an eventual goal.
But Beijing said in August it would effectively screen candidates for city leader, prompting street protests by pro-democracy activists.
China's Foreign Ministry has dismissed comments by Patten on developments in Hong Kong, accusing him of trying to incite "illegal" protests, and said foreigners should not meddle.
In a speech in Brisbane last weekend, Obama pledged to stand up for human rights in the region and said in Hong Kong protesters were "speaking out for their universal rights."
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