WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the student-led democratic protests in Hong Kong:

“I commend the students and residents of Hong Kong who are calling for Beijing to honor the promise of ‘one country, two systems’ by allowing Hong Kong to play a meaningful role in selecting their leader. For Hong Kong’s 2017 elections to truly represent the wishes of the people, they must be allowed to nominate candidates of their own choosing.

“Hong Kong is a city like no other—rich in history and culture, a economic leader in the Asia-Pacific region, and a great political experiment. Hong Kong’s economic success has been predicated on a commitment to open markets, and I believe that their continued success will be similarly predicated on open political debate.”

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