CHINA accused Washington of wanting to see “a world in turmoil” today, saying top US officials are inciting Hong Kong residents to violently confront the Beijing government.

A number of leading US officials were blasted for “distorting the truth.”

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was joined by Republican Senator Mitch McConnell and Senator Marco Rubio in accusing Hong Kong police of violently suppressing protests.

They claimed that the Chinese central government was attacking freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. 

But Beijing hit back, saying that the US politicians were “whitewashing violent crimes” by portraying them as a struggle for human rights and freedom.

Government spokeswoman Hua Chunying accused Washington of “deliberately misinterpreting the work of Hong Kong police as violent repression when the police were only enforcing the law, fighting crimes and upholding social order.”

She said the remarks were inciting residents of the special administrative region to confrontation with the Chinese central government.

“They can’t wait to see a world in turmoil,” she said.

Ms Hua asked: “In the US, members of the Congress are also called lawmakers. I cannot help asking the relevant senators and house representatives: are you lawmakers or law-breakers?”

Protests have continued in Hong Kong for the past 10 weeks. They started as a reaction to plans for a global extradition Bill which would allow people suspected of crimes to be sent to the countries where the offences were allegedly committed to stand trial.

But the move was seized upon by Hong Kong independence campaigners who, along with a compliant liberal media, portrayed the legislation as paving the way for dissidents to be deported to mainland China.

Mainstream Western press outlets have continued to describe the protests as a “pro-democracy” movement without any qualification.

But a large number of demonstrators continue to receive support from the West. 

Last week, protest leader Joshua Wong met with US consul Julie Eadeh, leading China to accuse the “black hand” of Washington of being behind the unrest.

Demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lamb and some appear to support the restoration of British colonial rule.

The US and British flags have appeared on demonstrations, including during the storming of the Hong Kong legislature last month.

Ms Hua reminded the US politicians: “Hong Kong is none of your business.”