LONDON: Britain on Monday voiced concern about the escalating protests in Hong Kong and called for “constructive” talks, saying it hoped they would lead to a “meaningful advance for democracy” in the former British colony.

It was important for Hong Kong to maintain the right to demonstrate following its worst unrest since China resumed control of the former British colony in 1997, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said, “We hope that the upcoming consultation period will produce arrangements which allow a meaningful advance for democracy in Hong Kong.”

“The British government is concerned about the situation,” it said.