British, Australian, Italian and US governments tell citizens to take care
Britain, Australia, Italy and US advise steering clear of demonstrations as protests spread
Foreign governments yesterday warned their citizens in Hong Kong to be cautious about Occupy Central protests, which have spread from government headquarters to other districts.
Britain and Australia advised their nationals to avoid large public rallies and to take alternative routes skirting mass sit-ins, after Occupy protests spread to Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, areas popular with tourists.
Travellers should monitor local media and transport company websites for the latest information on any change of routes or train station closures, the two governments recommended.
The Occupy protests prompted Australia to put Hong Kong on an alert level, the lowest in its four-tier system, requiring "normal safety precautions".
The British Foreign Office expressed concern about the situation in its former colony and said it was monitoring the events.
"It is Britain's long-standing position, as a co-signatory of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, that Hong Kong's prosperity and security are underpinned by its fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to demonstrate," the office said.
"It is important for Hong Kong to preserve these rights and for Hong Kong people to exercise them within the law."