U.S. President Barack Obama, left, speaks next to Chinese President Xi Jinping during their joint press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
BEIJING — President Barack Obama says the U.S. had no role in fostering pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, denying claims from some China supporters.
Obama told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday that Washington wouldn't get involved in the dispute between demonstrators and authorities over procedures for nominating candidates for the Chinese special administrative region's next chief executive.
However, he said the U.S. backed the right of people to freely express themselves and urged that Hong Kong's elections be fair and transparent and reflect voters' true opinions.
Appearing beside Obama at the news conference, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China's stance that the protests are illegal. He said China wouldn't permit interference in Hong Kong's affairs in any form or fashion. The protests are now in their seventh week.
Nov. 12, 2014 2:52 AM EST
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