Hong Kong's current Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying (C.Y. 102-383 ) states, "Support for democratization is a fundamental principle of U.S. foreign policy. As such, it naturally applies to United States policy toward Hong Kong." The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures. However, Chinese and Hong Kong officials assert that the NPCSC August 2014 decision complies with China's international commitments and the laws governing the HKSAR, and is consistent with past statements regarding the adoption of universal suffrage in Hong Kong elections. All but one of the 43 pro-establishment Legco members announced they would vote in favor of the proposal. Step 4: Legco's Vote

After two days of debate, Legco defeated the proposed resolution on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 28 against and 8 for the motion. Finally, CY Leung could resubmit a report to the NPCSC on the conditions in Hong Kong, indicating that circumstances have changed since he submitted the previous report in July 2014. In addition, the 2016 Legco may have an opportunity to consider CE election reforms during their term in office, if the CE selected in 2017 chooses to restart the reform process, and the NPCSC amends or supersedes its August 2014 decision on CE election reforms. The Joint Declaration contains no direct reference to democracy or universal suffrage. Implications for U.S. Policy Toward Hong Kong

The United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 effectively continues U.S. relations with Hong Kong after China's resumption of authority over the city as it did during the time the city was a British colony, so long as China abides by its international obligations with respect to Hong Kong, including the Joint Declaration. 113-235 ) in December 2014. The report, released on April 10, 2015, contained a section on "electoral reforms," including the following statement:
The United States has called for the conduct of a multi-candidate competitive election for Chief Executive in 2017, which would enhance the legitimacy of Hong Kong's Chief Executive, would be a major step forward in Hong Kong's political development and would bolster Hong Kong's stability and prosperity

		The Obama Administration's Policy

The White House and the State Department have been seemingly cautious about their statements with regards to the proposed CE election reforms and the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HKHRDA; H.R. 5696 and S. 2922 ) was introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on November 13, 2014. The legislation reaffirmed "the principles and objectives set forth in the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992," including "support for democratization" as a "fundamental principle of United States foreign policy." Legislation

On February 27, 2015, Representative Christopher Smith introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act ( H.R. 1159 are very similar to the amended version of S. 2922 approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during the 113 th Congress. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 ( P.L. Motion
Motion concerning the Amendment to the Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs to move the following motion: 
Pursuant to Article 7 of Annex I to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the Interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of Article 7 of Annex I and Article III of Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China of 6 April 2004, and the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Issues Relating to the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by Universal Suffrage and on the Method for Forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Year 2016 of 31 August 2014, the "(Draft) Amendment to Annex I to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China Concerning the Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" appended to this Motion is hereby endorsed by this Council by a two-thirds majority of all Members.
The United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-383) declares that, "Support for democratization is a fundamental principle of U.S. foreign policy. As such, it naturally applies to United States policy toward Hong Kong." China's law establishing the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR), commonly referred to as the "Basic Law," declares that "the ultimate aim" is the selection of Hong Kong's Chief Executive (CE) and Legislative Council (Legco) by universal suffrage. The year 2015 may be a pivotal year for making progress toward the objectives of both of these laws. It could also be a year in which the democratic aspirations of many Hong Kong residents remain unfulfilled.
Hong Kong's current Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, initiated a six-step process in July 2014 whereby Hong Kong's Basic Law could be amended to allow the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2017. On August 31, 2014, China's National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) completed the second step of the reform process when it issued a decision setting comparatively strict conditions on the adoption of universal suffrage for the 2017 CE elections that seemingly preclude the nomination of a pro-democracy candidate. The third step of the process, the CE submitting legislation to Legco to amend the Basic Law, came on June 17. On June 18, Legco defeated the proposed election reforms by a vote of 28 against and 8 in favor of the legislation, completing the fourth step and terminating one path to universal suffrage.
Public opinion in Hong Kong over the proposed CE election reforms is split, with opinion surveys showing a sharp division of opinion on accepting the NPCSC's conditions. In the autumn of 2014, anger in Hong Kong over the NPCSC's August 2014 decision precipitated the occupation of several major Hong Kong roads by thousands of Hong Kong residents. These occupations were ended in December 2014 by the deployment of thousands of police officers, but scattered protests continue.
The democratization of Hong Kong not only has implications for U.S. relations with Hong Kong, but also for U.S. relations with China and the political development of Taiwan and cross-Strait relations.
In response to the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Members of the 113th Congress introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (H.R. 5696 and S. 2922), to amend the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. The Senate version of the legislation was amended by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar on December 11, 2014, but did not receive consideration by the full Senate.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act has been reintroduced in the 114th Congress in the House of Representatives (H.R. 1159) with some changes, but not in the Senate. In addition, the 114th Congress may consider continuing appropriations for existing programs to promote the democratization of Hong Kong.
Because the process of possibly reforming Hong Kong's election laws is underway, this report will be updated as circumstances or conditions in Hong Kong significantly change. This update reflects Legco's defeat of the proposed resolution and possible next steps in election reforms.