China hits back at Trump’s ‘gross interference’ in Hong Kong protests after demonstrators storm government HQ

US president says protesters are ‘looking for democracy’ in extradition bill crisis

China has accused Donald Trump of “gross interference” in Hong Kong’s affairs after the US president said protesters simply wanted democracy for the semi-autonomous region.

Yesterday, hundreds of protesters stormed the headquarters of the city’s legislative council, smashing windows and pictures, amid growing anger over an extradition bill with mainland China.

Mr Trump told reporters that the protesters were “looking for democracy” but added that “some governments don’t want democracy”, in an apparent criticism of China’s strict political rule.

The demonstration, which was dispersed with teargas by police, marked the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

The controversial extradition bill would allow people to be extradited to stand trial in mainland China; a change Hong Kong’s government claims is necessary to stop the city becoming a safe haven for criminals.

However, activists who oppose the bill have warned it would erode the city’s judicial independence and have expressed concerns over the legitimacy of mainland China’s justice system.

Since early June, the protests have expanded to a more general criticism of Beijing’s influence in Hong Kong over fears the region may lose rights it has been granted that are not seen on the mainland.

As a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has separate economic and governing systems from the mainland and its citizens enjoy civil rights that are not granted to mainland citizens.

In response to Mr Trump’s comments, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: “We deplore and strongly oppose the relevant country’s gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.”

He added that China warns “the relevant country to speak and act cautiously and stop interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs in any form”.

Mr Trump said he spoke briefly with Chinese president Xi Jinping about the Hong Kong protests at the G20 summit in Japan, adding that he thought the demonstrations were “very sad to see”.

The dispute comes amid an ongoing trade war between the US and China, in which Mr Trump has imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products.

In recent days, China has indicated it is prepared to take a tougher line against the demonstrations, after previously playing down their significance.

Beijing strongly backed Hong Kong’s administration on Tuesday, saying protesters who occupied and vandalised the city’s legislature had committed “serious illegal acts” and urging the administration to investigate the “criminal responsibility of violent offenders”.

The central government also voiced support for Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, and the city’s police force in dealing with the incident in accordance with law, Mr Geng said.

"The violent attacks ... are serious illegal acts that trample on the rule of law and endanger social order. We strongly condemn it," Mr Geng told reporters at a daily briefing.

In response to the protests, Ms Lam has suspended the extradition bill, but has stopped short of withdrawing it permanently.

The central government has also condemned the UK after Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, called on China to honour its commitment to protect freedoms in Hong Kong.

"We can make it clear we stand behind the people of Hong Kong in defence of the freedoms that we negotiated for them when we agreed to the handover in 1997 and we can remind everyone that we expect all countries to honour their international obligations," Mr Hunt told Reuters on Tuesday, when asked what Britain could do.

He added that he hoped to avoid sanctions on China but called for the government of Hong Kong to listen to the "legitimate concerns" of its people.

On Monday, China said Britain no longer has any responsibility for Hong Kong and needed to stop "gesticulating" about the city.

Mr Geng reiterated that message today, saying China would be "unswerving in [its] determination to oppose foreign interference."

“We demand the UK reflect upon the consequences of its mistaken words and deeds and stop interfering in Hong Kong’s and China’s internal affairs in any form," he said.

Agencies contributed to this report