DHAKA: Taiwan’s president threw his weight behind Hong Kong’s democracy protesters on Monday, saying he was ‘very concerned’ by events in the city and urging China to proceed with ‘peaceful and cautious measures’.

Chaotic protests saw Hong Kong police fire tear gas on Sunday at demonstrators enraged by China's refusal to grant full democracy to the semi-autonomous city, with thousands remaining on the streets into Monday.

Taiwan’s president Ma Ying-jeou said the protesters’ call for free elections had his full backing.

‘We fully understand and support Hong Kong people in their call for full universal suffrage,’ Ma told a gathering of business leaders in Taipei.

‘Developments in Hong Kong have drawn the close attention of the world in the past few days. Our government has also been very concerned,’ he added.

‘We urge the mainland authorities to listen to the voice of Hong Kong people and use peaceful and cautious measures to handle these issues.’

Ma’s administration watches events in Hong Kong closely as Beijing wants Taiwan to reunite with the mainland under a ‘one country, two systems’ deal similar to that through which Hong Kong is ruled, reports The Straits Times.

The deal, agreed when former colonial power Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, grants civil liberties not seen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and the right to protest.

Ma has sought to boost ties with China since he took office in 2008, but he has rejected reunification under a Hong Kong-style arrangement.

While voicing support for the protesters, he also urged them to refrain from violence, warning that the unrest in the city could send shockwaves through the wider Asian economy.

‘Hong Kong is a global financial centre. Any political turbulence may impact on Asia and even the world,’ Ma said.

BDST: 2113 HRS, SEP 29, 2014