Washington – The United States is deeply
concerned about Chinese paramilitary movement along the Hong
Kong border, a US State Department spokesperson said on
Wednesday, while warning that continued erosion of the
territory's autonomy put at risk its special status in
international affairs.
The official reiterated a US call for all sides to refrain
from violence and said it was important for the Hong Kong
government to respect "freedoms of speech and peaceful
assembly".
"The United States is deeply concerned by reports of Chinese
paramilitary movement along the Hong Kong border," the
spokesperson said.
"The United States strongly urges Beijing to
adhere to its commitments… to allow Hong Kong to exercise a
high degree of autonomy.
"We condemn violence and urge all sides to exercise
restraint, but remain staunch in our support for freedom of
expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Hong Kong," the
spokesperson said.
"The ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong reflect the
sentiment of Hongkongers and their broad and legitimate concerns
about the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy.
"The continued erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy
puts at risk its long-established special status in
international affairs."
A 1992 US law affords Hong Kong preferential treatment in
matters of trade and economics compared with China. Areas of
special treatment include visas, law enforcement and investment.
A prominent US senator warned China on Tuesday that Hong
Kong could lose its special US trade status if Beijing
intervenes directly to crack down on increasingly violent
pro-democracy protests in the city.
Earlier on Wednesday, the State Department issued a travel
advisory urging "increased caution in Hong Kong due to civil
unrest".
Hong Kong has been engulfed in protests since earlier this
summer. Flights resumed on Wednesday at the Hong Kong airport,
one of the world's busiest, which shut down for two days after
demonstrators occupied it.