Barack Obama denies US involvement in Occupy Central protests - The US has no role in Occupy Central, Obama said
Johnson Choi-1008 11/12 532535.0/1
Barack Obama denies US involvement in Occupy Central protests - The US has no role in Occupy Central, Obama said.
The United States has no role in pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, President Barack Obama said in Beijing on Wednesday, despite Chinese accusations that foreign forces are involved.
"I was unequivocal in saying to President Xi that the United States has no involvement in fostering the protest that took place there,” Obama said at a joint press conference with President Xi Jinping.
“These are issues ultimately for the people of Hong Kong and the people of China to decide.
"But I did describe for him that the United States, as a matter of foreign policy, but also a matter of our values, we are going to consistently speak out on the right of people to express themselves and encourage that the elections that take place in Hong Kong are transparent and fair and reflective of the opinions of people there.”
Reiterating the unlawfulness of the Occupy Central movement, Xi said in response that Beijing gives full backing to Hong Kong authorities’ handling of the protest.
"Hong Kong affairs are exclusively China’s internal affairs and foreign countries should not interfere," Xi said.
"We need to protect the lawful rights and interests of foreign citizens and business enterprises in Hong Kong as well.
"And I think it goes without saying that law and order must be maintained according to law in any place, not just in Hong Kong, but also elsewhere in the world."
Last month Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the government had evidence that “foreign forces” had influenced the Occupy movement and it would be disclosed at an appropriate time.
“There are foreign forces participating in the Occupy movement; it was not speculation of my own,” Leung said.
“As the leader of the government, it is my responsibility to know about this.
“As to how we should disclose the evidence … there will be appropriate consideration at the appropriate time.
“Any government who knew about this would have to face it and tackle the situation,” he said, without identifying those forces.
Agence France-Presse, Kyodo
