Australian university students on exchange in Hong Kong are being urged to come home immediately, as protesters take their pro-democracy fight to campuses across the city.
The University of Sydney has started contacting its students in the Chinese-administered city, after Hong Kong University (HKU) and other institutions suspended classes for the last few weeks of the semester.
"Your safety is our utmost concern and based on all the information available to us, and in light that HKU has now suspended/cancelled the semester, the University of Sydney requires you to depart HK immediately and make your way back to Australia," the email sent to students by exchange coordinators on Friday morning said.
"If you have already left HK, please let me know where you are now.
"If you need assistance and advice on how to depart HK, please let me know and USYD will assist you."
Protesters at Hong Kong universities, including Hong Kong Polytechnic and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, have hurled petrol bombs and bricks and even shot arrows at police in recent days.
Authorities have met the increased violence with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons filled with blue dye.
The warning to return to Australia did not carry with it an exemption for students from completing their studies, as HKU is allowing its courses and exams to be sat online.
"This is good news because it means that you can complete the remainder of your work and still receive the academic credit provided you pass all the units," the email said.
"We expect that you will complete the studies remotely in order to complete the semester's coursework."
Protests in Hong Kong are in their fifth month and show little sign of ending, as pro-democracy advocates continue to demand Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam stand down from the local government and a review of police conduct be launched.
On Thursday, Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said it was "essential" that police responded to the protests "proportionately".
"We reiterate our view that it is crucial for all sides — police and protestors — to exercise restraint and take genuine steps to de-escalate tensions," Senator Payne said in a statement.
