China has accused Donald Trump of “gross interference” in Hong Kong’s affairs after the US president said protesters simply wanted democracy for the semi-autonomous region.

Yesterday, hundreds of protesters stormed the headquarters of the city’s legislative council, smashing windows and pictures, amid growing anger over an extradition bill with mainland China.

Mr Trump told reporters on Monday that the protesters were “looking for democracy” but added that “some governments don’t want democracy”, in an apparent criticism of China’s strict political rule.

The demonstration, which was dispersed with tear gas by police, marked the anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

The controversial extradition bill would allow people to be extradited to stand trial in mainland China; a change Hong Kong’s government claims is necessary to stop the city becoming a safe haven for criminals.

However, activists who oppose the bill have warned it would erode the city’s judicial independence and have expressed concerns over the legitimacy of mainland China’s justice system.

Since early June, the protests have expanded to a more general criticism of Beijing’s influence in Hong Kong over fears the region may lose rights it has been granted that are not seen on the mainland.

As a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has separate economic and governing systems from the mainland and its citizens enjoy civil rights that are not granted to mainland citizens.

In response to Mr Trump’s comments, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: “We deplore and strongly oppose the relevant country’s gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.”

He added that China warns “the relevant country to speak and act cautiously and stop interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs in any form”.

Mr Trump said he spoke briefly with Chinese president Xi Jinping about the Hong Kong protests at the G20 summit in Japan, adding that he thought the demonstrations were “very sad to see”.

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The dispute comes amid an ongoing trade war between the US and China, in which Mr Trump has imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products.

Beijing has accused Hong Kong’s protesters of “serious illegal actions” and urged the region’s government to investigate the “criminal responsibility of violent offenders”.

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, has suspended the bill, but has stopped short of withdrawing it permanently.

China has also condemned the UK after Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, said the British government’s “support for Hong Kong and its freedoms is unwavering”.

Mr Geng said: “We are unswerving in our determination to oppose foreign interference.

“We demand the UK reflect upon the consequences of its mistaken words and deeds and stop interfering in Hong Kong’s and China’s internal affairs in any form.”