U.S. President says trade deal can wait

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged China to “humanely” resolve the violent stand-off with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, on the back of growing concerns that Beijing is considering direct intervention in the crisis.

Images taken on Thursday showed thousands of Chinese military personnel waving red flags and parading at a sports stadium in the city of Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong. Dozens of armoured personnel carriers and supply trucks were also parked nearby.

The parade comes as the U.S. President linked a possible trade deal with Beijing to a peaceful resolution to the political unrest that has roiled the semi-autonomous Chinese city for 10 weeks.

The U.S. has become increasingly alarmed by Chinese security forces gathering near the border with Hong Kong as the protests show no signs of abating and Beijing intensifies measures against a movement calling for democratic reforms.

“Millions of jobs are being lost in China to other non-Tariffed countries. Thousands of companies are leaving. Of course China wants to make a deal. Let them work humanely with Hong Kong first!” Trump wrote on Twitter, in the first clear indication that the trade deal could be threatened by how Beijing reacts to the protests.

“I have ZERO doubt that if President Xi wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem, he can do it,” Mr. Trump said in a subsequent tweet, suggesting a “personal meeting” with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Activists are planning another series of rallies this weekend.