US condemns latest Hong Kong violence, urges both sides to de-escalate

Office workers run away from tear gas as they attend a flash mob anti-government protest at the financial Central district in Hong Kong on Nov 11, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The United States on Monday (Nov 11) condemned "unjustified use of deadly force" in the latest Hong Kong violence and urged police and civilians alike to de-escalate the situation, a senior Trump administration official said.

The US statement came after Hong Kong police shot and critically wounded a protester and a man was set on fire in violence that prompted leader Carrie Lam to denounce "enemies of the people."

"Hong Kong police and civilians alike have a responsibility to de-escalate and avoid violent confrontations," the US administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity, after a weekend of stepped-up clashes in pro-democracy protests across the Chinese-ruled territory, a former British colony.

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