This is everything China has said about the Hong Kong protests

Sunday September 28

No public comment but China sends a letter to foreign diplomats telling them to “stay away” from the protests. "At present, some radical groups in Hong Kong are staging illegal activities of assembly... some acts of violence and legal offences have occurred as a result," it read. "The Hong Kong Police is dealing with them in accordance with the law."

Monday September 29

Still no media response, but a signed commentary in the Global Times suggests the mainland’s armed police force is ready to back Hong Kong’s police against the protesters if they need backup. Meanwhile China censors images of protests while Instagram is reportedly blocked.

Tuesday September 30

Chinese President Xi Jinping appears at a reception for China's National Day, where he tells Communist Party leaders his government will "steadfastly safeguard the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau".

Wednesday October 1

On China's National Day, a public holiday, one of Beijing’s top officials in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, responds to journalists’ questions about the protests for the first time, saying "the sun rises as usual".

Meanwhile Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi speaks out against the protesters' “illegal acts” during a visit to America. “The Chinese government has very firmly and clearly stated its position. 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. 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.”

In an editorial accompanying national day meanwhile, the Community Party's the People's Daily warns the end of the protests could be "disastrous" for the demonstrators.

Thursday October 2

The People’s Daily backs Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in a front page editorial, saying it was “very satisfied” with him. The paper also warns of chaos if order is not restored, and backs the police, writing: "Handling affairs without following laws, Hong Kong society will be in chaos."

More: What they haven't said: censorship in China since Hong Kong protests began in one chart