Update | ‘Let Hong Kong elect its own leader’: Britain’s David Cameron asks Xi Jinping to ensure city’s political freedom

British Prime Minister David Cameron has sought assurance from President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to UK, that Hongkongers would be able to choose their own leader without Beijing’s prior vetting, according to a report.

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Xi and Cameron hold talks at Chequers, the prime minister's official country residence. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:45am, 23 Oct 2015Updated: 11:35pm, 23 Oct 2015

British Prime Minister David Cameron has sought assurance from President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to UK, that Hongkongers would be able to choose their own leader without Beijing’s prior vetting, according to a report.

Cameron touched on the political stalemate in Hong Kong for the first time during Xi’s visit amid mounting criticism Britain had ignored China’s human rights record for trade benefits, reported.

The remarks also came after Hong Kong’s legislature voted down in June a Beijing-decreed political reform package for the 2017 chief executive election, which allowed Hongkongers to choose their own leader only from two or three candidates approved by a 1,200-strong committee.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has previously said his administration “has finished” the work on reform and would concentrate on addressing economic and livelihood issues in his remaining term.

READ MORE: Xi Jinping, UK prime minister discuss foreign policy after pint and fish and chips down the pub

Spending the afternoon at the prime minister’s country retreat, Chequers, on Thursday, reported that Cameron sought assurance from Xi that Hong Kong would remain semi-autonomous and entitled to choose its own leadership without prior vetting by the Chinese government.