China warns the US to stay away from Hong Kong.

The US and China publicly criticized each other as Beijing warned Washington to stay away from Hong Kong and said it would not tolerate “illegal actions.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Wang Yi at the US State Department headquarters in Washington. Photo: Reuters.

Standing alongside US Secretary of State John Kerry before entering talks at the US State Department in Washington, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared: “The Chinese government has a firm and clear position. The Hong Kong issue is an internal matter of China. All countries should respect China’s sovereignty, and this is a fundamental principle of managing international relations. I believe that no country, no society, no one will allow illegal actions that violate the order,” according to AFP.

In response, Kerry reiterated his call for restraint. Standing beside Wang, he told reporters: “As China knows, we support universal suffrage in Hong Kong under the Basic Law. We believe that an open society with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by the rule of law is fundamental to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.”

On October 2nd, US President Barack Obama also told Wang Yi that Washington would closely monitor the protests in Hong Kong and called for a peaceful resolution to the issue. During a meeting between Wang and US National Security Advisor Susan Rice at the White House, Obama also confirmed he would visit China later this year.

In Hong Kong, as of early this morning, more than 3,000 protesters were still gathered outside the government headquarters, calling for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to resign. They want to speak directly with him. Meanwhile, riot police armed with helmets, gas masks, and shields remained stationed behind iron barriers. Wang said Beijing has “the ability to control the current situation according to existing law.”

On the night of October 1st, Agnes Chow, one of the student protest leaders, announced plans for more forceful actions, including occupying government buildings. October 1st and 2nd were public holidays in Hong Kong, giving many people free time to participate in the protests.

Jason Chan, a 23-year-old student, believes the movement needs to escalate. “Many people are taking to the streets every day and the government isn’t responding to us. If we don’t take things to a new level, the movement will become meaningless,” Chan said.

However, some people are conflicted. Fashion designer Janice Pang said, “I think we should maintain a peaceful movement. Hong Kong people won’t support us if we do something radical.”

Source: Tuoi Tre