U.S. Wants Hong Kong Liberties Retained, Clinton Tells Democracy Activist

President Clinton sent a clear, if restrained, signal to China on Friday, telling a pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong that the United States wants traditional civil liberties to endure there after the Chinese takeover July 1.

“We believe it’s an important matter, and we expect that [the Chinese] will live up to their agreement” to preserve Hong Kong’s civil liberties, the president told reporters later Friday. “And it’s our policy, strong policy, that they should.”

Clinton’s meeting with Martin Lee, head of Hong Kong’s top vote-getting political party and a member of the British colony’s elected legislature, was symbolic of the difficult balancing act administration officials are attempting in their dealings with China.

The White House is seeking to engage Chinese leaders in a closer relationship but has clear conflicts with them on economic and political issues--including the future of Hong Kong--that could renew tensions between the two powers.

Aware of the diplomatic sensitivities, Clinton did not meet with Lee in the traditional setting of the Oval Office. Instead, he “stopped by” a session between Lee and Vice President Al Gore, according to an administration official.

“I have no doubt the United States government will defend Hong Kong’s freedoms,” Lee said.

Lee said Clinton agreed with him that the status of human rights in Hong Kong after it reverts to China’s control will remain a matter of international concern.

Chinese officials tend to view their policy toward Hong Kong as a domestic issue.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the United States will continue to take Hong Kong very seriously and will raise Hong Kong at all high-level meetings with the Chinese,” Lee said.

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Lee’s White House visit came barely a week after proposals were unveiled in Hong Kong to tighten controls on public protests and foreign support of local political parties after July 1. As part of the transition, the legislature Lee serves in will be abolished.

But even as the administration was indicating to Beijing that it should think twice about making undemocratic changes in Hong Kong, it was clear that the message was a measured one.

Clinton declined to outline actions that the U.S. might take to support Hong Kong after the transition of power, preferring to speak in broad terms: “I think the United States has to make it clear that Hong Kong is important to us, the people of Hong Kong are important.”

Referring to a 1984 treaty between China and Britain that seemed to ensure continued human rights in Hong Kong, the president said that “our policy is that the agreement was a good one when we said we supported it in 1984, it’s a good one in 1997, and it ought to be honored.”

White House spokesman Mike McCurry, briefing reporters, added: “There would be consequences for any erosion of the freedoms and liberties that are currently enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.”