BEIJING: The Chinese government Monday accused the pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong of "putting social order at risk", a day before the start of negotiations between the protestors and the authorities.
"There are people in Hong Kong who are illegally blocking the main roads, opposing the law and putting the social order at risk," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying following yet another weekend of clashes between the police and activists.
Hua insisted that the activities of the movement that rejects the electoral system established by Beijing for 2017 local elections in Hong Kong were "totally illegal" and that the Communist regime fully backed the government of that territory in its actions to maintain law and order".
The spokesperson also expressed support for statements made by Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung Sunday in which he accused "external forces" of fueling the pro-democratic movement.
Hua said that China "is completely opposed to any country trying to interfere in any way in Hong Kong's matters" and accused external forces, without specifying any countries in particular, of "protecting and instigating illegal activities".
The protests began in late September, a month after China announced that Hong Kong's citizens would be able to vote directly for one of two or three vetted candidates previously selected by a special commission.