Britain urges faster pace of democracy in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, May 21 (Reuters) Hong Kong should hold direct elections as soon as possible, Britain's foreign secretary said today, urging the territory's Beijing overlords to listen more to the voice of the people.

Margaret Becket said London's relationship with its former colony had remained strong in the decade since Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997.

''The relationship the UK has with Hong Kong has changed -- yes, but diminished -- no,'' she told a luncheon audience during a whirlwind visit to the city.

While Hong Kong has enjoyed a large degree of economic freedom over the past 10 years, the local pro-democracy camp has slammed Beijing for stalling popular calls to allow direct elections in the near future.

''Our position is clear, we want to see universal suffrage introduced in Hong Kong as soon as possible,'' Beckett said.

''The prize is worth it, democracy cannot be seen as an optional extra to a thriving economy. It is the foundation of it,'' she added.

Hong Kong's traditional strengths including its rule of law and independent judiciary were an ''important legacy'' from Britain, Beckett said. She gave the territory a relatively positive scorecard, saying: ''some of the more dire predictions I remember so vividly from 1997 have not come true.'' Beckett urged China, however, to listen more to the will of the people, including on political reform.

''We would encourage the Chinese government to engage with and be open to all strands of opinion here in Hong Kong.'' Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported at the weekend that Chinese officials had ''rebuffed'' requests by British officials to attend Hong Kong's 10th anniversary celebrations. But Beckett denied China was trying to snub its former rulers.

''This seems to be a story that's got rather out of hand ...

there's no suggestion of the UK being excluded ... This is a problem that doesn't exist,'' she said.

Hong Kong is due to issue a legislative green paper later this year, which would clarify a possible roadmap for universal suffrage.

The territory's leader, Donald Tsang, who was re-elected for a five-year term in March, promised during his campaign to ''resolve'' the issue before his term ends.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp remains deeply sceptical that an acceptable framework will be put forward, and wants nothing less than one man, one vote by 2012, the next available window.

REUTERS RJ KN1534