

Beijing hardened its line on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong on Thursday, as students sat in front of government offices in the region demanding the chief executive’s resignation by the end of the day.

The official People’s Daily newspaper, the voice of the Communist party, said that China was “very satisfied” with Leung Chun-ying and had full confidence in his leadership – dashing the hopes of demonstrators that Beijing would be willing to sacrifice the chief executive to calm the situation.

Its front page commentary also supported the police handling of the “illegal activities”, attacking the protestors for violating the rule of law, disrupting order and damaging peace and prosperity.

It accused protesters of threatening to drag the region into chaos. The prominent display of the article emphasised its importance.

While some have dubbed the movement the “umbrella revolution”, participants have been at pains to stress they do not seek independence from China nor the overthrow of the Communist party – simply the right to a real choice of the next chief executive.

As protests gained pace – galvanised by the use of teargas in failed attempts to disperse them – they also demanded the resignation of the current incumbent.

China has promised Hong Kong universal suffrage for the 2017 election, reflecting the greater freedoms the region enjoys under the “one country, two systems” framework.

While Hong Kong residents knew that limits would be imposed on their choice, many were angered by the toughness of the restrictions announced – which effectively rule out any prospect of a democrat standing.

Only two or three candidates will be permitted and they will have to win the backing of a committee full of Beijing loyalists.

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi warned foreign governments not to intervene as he visited Washington for scheduled talks with secretary of state John Kerry.

US secretary of state John Kerry with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Washington on Wednesday. Photograph: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images

“Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs ... All countries should respect China’s sovereignty and this is a basic principle of governing international relations,” Wang said.

“I believe for any country, for any society, no one would allow those illegal acts that violate public order. That’s the situation in the United States and that’s the same situation in Hong Kong.”

Speaking alongside Wang at a press briefing, Kerry told reporters: “As China knows, we support universal suffrage in Hong Kong, accordant with the Basic Law [the mini-constitution of Hong Kong].

“We believe an open society with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by rule of law is essential for Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity ... And we have high hopes that the Hong Kong authorities will exercise restraint and respect the protestors’ right to express their views peacefully.”

Unusually, US officials said the two men would meet for a second time later on Wednesday at the Chinese delegation’s request.

State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters: “It’s clear that we want the people of Hong Kong to have a broad choice of candidates.”

Supporters of the Hong Kong demonstrators protested outside the Chinese embassy in London on Wednesday night, and gathered at sites across the US.

Mainland authorities have been working overtime to tightly control references to the protests and the South China Morning Post reported that they have suspended visits by tour groups to Hong Kong.

The China National Tourism Administration told operators not to organise group visits to the city, though people who had booked before Wednesday will not be affected. Mainland tourists account for the vast bulk of visitors to Hong Kong – around 75% – but most come as individuals.