US urges Hong Kong to show 'restraint' amid protests

The United States today asked Hong Kong's leaders to show restraint after riot police fired tear gas on mass democracy protests, and said it had told Beijing it backs universal suffrage in the territory.
"The United States urges the Hong Kong authorities to exercise restraint and for protesters to express their views peacefully," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.
"The United States supports universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and we support the aspirations of the Hong Kong people.
"We have consistently made our position known to Beijing and will continue to do so," he said.

"We believe an open society, with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by the rule of law, is essential for Hong Kong's stability and prosperity."
Earnest also said that the position of chief executive in Hong Kong would be given more credibility if the people of the semi-autonomous Chinese city could freely choose its candidates for the job.