U.S. and Hong Kong (2005)

State Department Briefing, December 5

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli briefed the press December 5.

Following is the transcript of the State Department briefing:

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U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
Monday, December 5, 2005
1:15 p.m. EST

Briefer: Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Change of topic. There was a pretty sizeable demonstration this weekend in Hong Kong, pro-democracy.

MR. ERELI: Right.

QUESTION: I know that Martin Lee visited with the Secretary last week, but so far we haven't heard any really ringing endorsement from the U.S. of the need for more democracy in Hong Kong. Can you explain where we are on that position?

MR. ERELI: Well, the United States I think has had a clear and consistent policy with regard to democracy in Hong Kong. We believe that it's important to achieve universal suffrage in Hong Kong as soon as possible, that the people of Hong Kong are ready for democracy and that the sooner that a timetable for achieving universal suffrage is established the better. And that is something that we discussed with Mr. Lee and it's certainly I think the spirit in which the demonstrations took place.

We also make clear that the pace, and scope and shape of democratic reform is for the people of Hong Kong to decide.

QUESTION: I have just a follow up on this. Have you made representations -- I mean, Mr. Lee and his supporters think that the Chinese are putting the foot on this process.

MR. ERELI: Mm-hmm.

QUESTION: Have you made representations to the Chinese that they ought to take their foot off the pedal?

MR. ERELI: We have made it clear to all parties concerned that universal suffrage is important and that we look to, as I said before, the people of Hong Kong to determine how that universal suffrage comes about.

QUESTION: One last thing on it. Mr. Lee said that he invited the Secretary out to Hong Kong. Is there any notion that she might be going?

MR. ERELI: I don't have any -- I'm not aware of any plans at this point. I certainly don't have anything to announce.

Yes, ma'am.

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QUESTION: Do you have any comment on the result of the municipal elections in Taiwan, particularly in terms of its impact on Cross-Strait stability, peace, and Cross-Strait relations in general?

MR. ERELI: As far as the elections go, obviously they're an internal matter for Taiwan. We certainly see in them a reflection of the strength and vitality of democracy in Taiwan. I think it's a little early to speak to what the implications of the elections are, but I would say that we certainly hope and are confident that the people of Taiwan will continue to hold their elected leaders from whatever party accountable for promoting peace and stability across the strait in keeping with Taiwan's interests.

QUESTION: A follow-up. Are you concerned about a possible split within the ruling DPP in the wake of the elections?

MR. ERELI: I would say that the progress and process of internal Taiwanese politics is something that we don't opine about. It's a matter for the Taiwanese people to decide.

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QUESTION: Thank you. Next week on December 14th, the East Asian summit will be held in Malaysia, excluding the United States. Does the United States have any concerns about where the Asian countries are going without the United States, and do you think the Chinese Government will gain more influence in the region through this summit?

MR. ERELI: As is, frankly, evidenced by the President's attendance at APEC and by the Deputy Secretary's appearance at the ASEAN ministerial, and by the travels of both the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary to Asia, the United States partnership with the countries of Asia is strong and dynamic and, frankly, vital to the interests of both the United States and countries of the region; this in the economic area, in the security area, in the health area as well. And that is the context in which we view the meeting that you describe in the next week and certainly irrespective of who attends or who doesn't attend, our commitment and ties to Asia are -- will continue to be of critical importance to the United States.

Follow up, yeah.

QUESTION: But -- so are you saying someone might attend? I mean --

MR. ERELI: No. I didn't suggest that. As far as the specific modalities of this visit or this event, I can see what I can get for you. But I was responding to the suggestion that somehow this meeting, in any way, indicates a weakening of U.S. ties with Asia or diminution of our commitment to the region.

QUESTION: The meeting -- I mean, it's going to be -- a lot of people think it's going to replace ASEAN, eventually.

MR. ERELI: I don't know if I would subscribe to that all.

QUESTION: But do --

MR. ERELI: In fact, I would actively suggest to you that that's not the case.

QUESTION: Do you think, though, that -- I mean, Asian diplomats have said in recent weeks that they were waiting for the U.S. to express an interest before sending an invitation, and there seems to have been a kind of --

MR. ERELI: Again I don't want to engage in a sort of running commentary on this. I would -- if you have a specific question, I'll entertain the specific question. But if you're speaking in terms of the general notion that somehow U.S.-Asian ties are adversely affected or mitigated any way by this meeting, I'm suggesting to you very strenuously that that's not the case.

QUESTION: I think the question is, are you going to send somebody or not?

MR. ERELI: I'll see if I can get an answer for you.

Yes.

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QUESTION: Especially when it comes to energy interests. And they -- the report said that China had a greater foothold in Africa -- was getting a greater foothold in Africa than the United States and that this may be a problem, you know, years down the line when you're begging for more and more oil. So I just wondered -- because you can say --

MR. ERELI: A lot of premises there.

QUESTION: Yeah. Are you concerned that China is getting a bigger foothold in Africa than the United States is, particularly when it concerns oil interests?

MR. ERELI: A couple of points to make: Number one, the U.S. is engaged in a strategic way with Africa in order to address the needs of that continent and the countries of that continent -economic, political, and humanitarian. And I wouldn't measure it with words like "foothold" or "periodic response." The fact of the matter is, since independence, since decolonialization, decolonization of Africa, the United States has been a firm and committed partner to the countries of that continent as they seek to develop the resources of their country, to improve the lives of their people, and to become responsible and contributing members of the international community.

And you can take any one of a broad range of issues as I think evidence of that commitment and that support. As far as what other countries are doing in the continent, particularly China, I think what we seek is a means for international cooperation in ways that support the needs of the countries of the region. Whether that be in terms of development of energy resources or whether that be in terms of responding to regional conflicts, or whether that be with respect to Africa's role in international organizations. So rise in competition? I would say the United States views its role and its work with other nations in Africa as a process of cooperation and coordination in pursuit of what the countries of the region are looking for.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

(The briefing was concluded at 2:00 p.m.)

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