Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged China on Monday to maintain a free and open Hong Kong, as police continue their crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in the semi-autonomous territory.
In a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Abe stressed the "importance of allowing Hong Kong to flourish under the 'one country, two systems' principle," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.
About 1,000 protesters had either been arrested or had surrendered to authorities last week after barricading themselves into buildings on the grounds of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Some lobbed gasoline bombs and bricks while police responded with tear gas and water cannons, in some of the most violent scenes seen in the territory since the protests began in June over a now-withdrawn extradition bill.