ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - Ms Madeleine Albright said yesterday she would attend July's ceremony marking Hong Kong's reverting to Chinese control to underscore support for freedoms there.
By attending the ceremony, Ms Albright said, "I will underline American support for the continuation of Hong Kong's current way of life and freedoms.
"And I will emphasise America's continued involvement in protecting our interests and supporting Hong Kong's people as they enter the Chinese nation," she said in a speech at the US Naval Academy here.
Ms Albright noted that 40,000 Americans live in Hong Kong and that US citizens have $ 13 billion in investments there.
"Advancing these interests depends on the rule of law and protection of civil liberties in Hong Kong," she said.