HONG KONG: Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters demanded that the city's embattled leader meet a deadline to resign on Thursday, as China warned the United States against meddling in its "internal affairs".
Demonstrators, who have shut down central areas of the southern Chinese city for four days, have given chief executive Leung Chun-ying until midnight to step down, or face escalated action.
In Washington, Beijing warned the United States to back off, in its strongest riposte yet to worldwide supporters of the suffrage movement sweeping the southern Chinese city.
"Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs," Foreign Minister Wang Yi told US Secretary of State John Kerry at a press conference.
"All countries should respect China's sovereignty and this is a basic principle of governing international relations," Wang said sternly.
He added that Beijing would not tolerate "illegal acts that violate public order".
Kerry replied urging Hong Kong authorities to "exercise restraint and respect the protesters' right to express their views peacefully."
Four days of peaceful demonstrations have seen tens of thousands of people take over usually traffic-heavy streets in Hong Kong as they demand Beijing grant free elections in the semi-autonomous city.
The demonstrators consider Leung a Beijing stooge and protest leaders want Thursday's ultimatum to be met.
"We will consider having different operating actions in future days, including occupying other places like important government offices," said Agnes Chow of student movement Scholarism.
Protester Thomas Choi told AFP: "We want to talk to him face to face."
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