U.S. Urges Quick Elections In Hong Kong

Saying it does not recognize Hong Kong’s provisional legislature, the United States called on leaders of the former British colony to hold elections “as soon as possible” to replace the appointed body.

Until then, U.S. officials will not recognize new Hong Kong laws as legitimate, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said.

“There is always going to be a question about these laws that are passed as long as there is not a democratically elected legislature in place,” Burns said after the new council passed a law to deport children who immigrate illegally from China.