The top Chinese envoy in Hong Kong has demanded that the US consulate “make a clean break from anti-China forces” following media reports of a meeting between an official and local independence activists, including Joshua Wong Chi-fung. On Thursday the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “strong disapproval” and “firm opposition”, demanding clarification over a meeting two days earlier between United States consulate political counsellor Julie Eadeh and Wong, Nathan Law Kwun-chung, as well as fellow core members of local political party Demosisto. In a statement, the office also labelled the activists “anti-China forces who stir up trouble in Hong Kong”. Demosisto previously said it supported self-determination for Hong Kong, but the office quoted media reports saying the group advocated independence. The meeting came amid weeks of protests in Hong Kong – triggered by the now-shelved extradition bill – which have prompted the US government to escalate its travel advisory to the city. Tung Chee-hwa accuses US, Taiwan of ‘well-organised’ protests On Thursday the US Department of State raised its travel advisory to level two, asking the public to “exercise increased caution in Hong Kong due to civil unrest”. It puts the city on the same level as mainland China, Britain and Sri Lanka. It noted that several large-scale and smaller political demonstrations had taken place in various areas of Hong Kong since June. While most had been peaceful, some have “turned confrontational or resulted in violent clashes”. “The protests and confrontations have spilled over into neighbourhoods other than those where police have permitted marches or rallies. These demonstrations, which can take place with little or no notice, are likely to continue,” the department said. It advised US citizens travelling to Hong Kong to monitor local media for updates, avoid areas of the demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. The Australian government on Tuesday also raised its advice level for Hong Kong, warning its citizens in the city to “exercise a high degree of caution”. Hong Kong being dragged down ‘path of no return’ says Carrie Lam On Eadeh’s meeting with Wong and Law, a spokesman for the foreign ministry commissioner’s office said: “China is rock-firm in upholding national sovereignty and security, as well as Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, and in opposing any interference in Hong Kong affairs by any country, organisation or individual in whatever form. “We strongly urge the members of the US [consulate] to … immediately make a clean break from anti-China forces who stir up trouble in Hong Kong, stop sending out wrong signals to violent offenders, refrain from meddling with Hong Kong affairs, and avoid going further down the wrong path.” The meeting came to light after reports by some pro-Beijing newspapers that the US consul and Demosisto activists were “plotting to come up with plans regarding the extradition bill”. In response to the commissioner’s office statement, a spokesman for the US consulate in Hong Kong said: “Representatives of the US government meet regularly with a wide cross section of people across Hong Kong and Macau. For example, on the day of this particular meeting, our diplomats also met both pro-establishment and pan-democratic camp legislators, as well as members of the American business community and the consular corps.” American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong urges ‘clear leadership’ On China’s claims that the protests in Hong Kong were fuelled by foreign forces, the spokesman added: “We categorically reject the charge of foreign forces as being behind the protests. It is not credible to think that millions of people are being manipulated to stand for a free and open society.” The spokesman also urged Beijing to respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. “We condemn violence and urge all sides to exercise restraint, but remain staunch in our support for freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Hong Kong,” he said. Joshua Wong book to take Hong Kong democracy battle global In a message posted on his Facebook page, Joshua Wong laughed off allegations he was colluding with the US. Wong said they were only discussing the legislation of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and that his group urged the US to stop exporting tear gas and rubber bullets to Hong Kong’s police. “I had visited Washington and had an exchange with US congressmen. Nathan Law even met the US secretary of state in May. So, what is the big deal?” he said in the post.