Stop interfering

The Hong Kong office of China's Foreign Ministry yesterday lodged stern representations with the United States, urging US officials to stop sending wrong signals to the "violent separatists" in Hong Kong.

China also asked the United States to issue clarifications on media reports that US officials are in contact with leaders among the separatists, the office of the commissioner of China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong said on its website.

More protests are planned in several districts across the city this weekend, starting today, with demonstrators also planning a three-day rally at the city's international airport.

Police warned activists to protest peacefully and said they had detained three more people, raising the number arrested to nearly 600 since protests began in June, the youngest aged 13.

The United States raised its travel warning for Hong Kong, urging increased caution by visitors to the Chinese territory in the face of what it described as civil unrest after months of sometimes violent street protests.

"The protests and confrontations have spilled over into neighbourhoods other than those where the police have permitted marches or rallies," said the advisory, posted on the website of the US state department on Wednesday.

"These demonstrations, which can take place with little or no notice, are likely to continue," it added. The advisory was raised to level two on a four-point scale.

Australia also warned its travellers in an updated advisory.