I applaud John Kerry for telling China to show restraint over Hong Kong. I thought it was outrageous of China to tell everyone to mind their own business, for it is China who have reneged on their obligation in the 1984 Handover Treaty to recognise democratic autonomy in Hong Kong.

It is incumbent on Britain, who has moral and treaty obligations to Hong Kong, to ensure that China does so.

No mention was made on television of the support in London for the Hong Kong students. Portland Street was completely cut off by the number of supporters staging a peaceful sit-in outside the Chinese embassy.

It does not bode well for countries in the Middle East when treaties can be so easily broken and what sort of signal does this send to the world, that trading with China is risky as they are double dealers who renege and do not deliver on their promises.

China’s failure to meet her obligations makes her a threat to global security. Also, the UN should be intervening to ensure the human rights of these young people are protected and we do not get another Tianamen Square. We are in the 21st century when democratic rights should be available to all.

These brave youngsters in Hong Kong deserve our support. China is ruthless and these youngsters need protection. They are within the law. China is not. Its behaviour in Hong Kong is illegal. They freely signed up to the Handover Treaty and I would have thought China is big enough and brave enough to meet their obligations and ensure that they deliver what they promised – democratic autonomy for Hong Kong.

Tony Stephenson, Bath Road, Trowbridge.