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US Consulate in Hong Kong Urges Protesters to Refrain From Violence

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Following confrontations between protesters and police, the US Consulate in Hong Kong has called on all sides to refrain from violence, a statement published Monday on the website of the Consulate reads.

MOSCOW, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - Following confrontations between protesters and police, the US Consulate in Hong Kong has called on all sides to refrain from violence, a statement published Monday on the website of the Consulate reads.

"We encourage all sides to refrain from actions that would further escalate tensions, to exercise restraint, and to express views on [Hong Kong's] political future in a peaceful manner," the statement reads.

The Consulate also stated that the United States holds an impartial stance toward political developments happening in Hong Kong. It also called for the continued adherence to the freedom of peaceful assembly, expression and press.

"The United States strongly supports Hong Kong's well-established traditions and Basic Law protections of internationally recognized fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. We do not take sides in the discussion of Hong Kong's political development, nor do we support any particular individuals or groups involved in it," the statement continued.

Early Monday morning, thousands gathered in Hong Kong in support of a student demonstration by Occupy Central, also known as Occupy Central with Love and Peace (OCLP). The demonstration began on September 26 in protest against Chinese government plans to control the 2017 election in Hong Kong. According to the claims of Occupy Central, China is going back on its word to maintain the city's autonomy under the "one country, two systems" formula.

The US Consulate's statement comes amid reports that in Asian stock markets are falling amid the protests. The Hong Kong dollar, which was usually seen as "calm" and pegged to the dollar, is reported to have fallen by 0.1 percent reaching 7.761.

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