China supports Hong Kong leader as pro-democracy protests escalate

Chinese officials have warned of “chaos” and thrown their weight behind Hong Kong’s embattled leader in his face-off with pro-democracy protesters who have threatened to occupy government offices unless he steps down today.

The People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party, said in a commentary piece that the “central government fully trusts chief executive Leung Chun-ying and is very satisfied with his work”.