"HK Likely Won't Ever Be Able To Vote Again": US

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said "it is likely Hong Kong will never be able to vote again – for anything or anyone", as Washington condemned the Hong Kong government for postponing the Legislative Council polls for a year.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Friday announced the decision to delay the election, citing public health reasons and insisting it had nothing to do with politics.

In a statement, the US State Department said there's no valid reason for such a lengthy delay.

Pompeo urged the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider the decision, saying the polls should be held as close to September 6 as originally scheduled as possible.

"If they aren't, then regrettably Hong Kong will continue its march toward becoming just another Communist-run city in China," the statement read.

Authorities said earlier that the postponement was legal and constitutional, and it had to be done to ensure public health and a fair election. The central government has also been criticising the US for interfering in the internal affairs of China and Hong Kong.