USATODAY

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden has dropped by a meeting at the White House with two of Hong Kong's leading pro-democracy advocates.

White House officials say in a statement that Biden met Friday with former Legislative Council member Martin Lee and former Chief Secretary Anson Chan. They are on a two-week visit to North America.

Biden took the opportunity to underscore America's long-standing support for democracy in Hong Kong and for the city's high degree of autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework.

Biden's appearance at the White House meeting was not part of his public schedule.