I don't support Hong Kong's Occupy protest, says Kenny G after stern words from Beijing

Best selling US jazz musician Kenny G has said he does not support pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong despite photos of him attending a demonstration site in Admiralty.

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Kenny G poses with protesters in Admiralty. Photo: Mark Bong

Published: 11:07am, 23 Oct 2014Updated: 10:33am, 25 Oct 2014

Best selling US jazz musician Kenny G has said he does not support pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong after photos of him attending the demonstration site at Admiralty went viral, prompting a stern response from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The saxophonist, real name Kenneth Gorelick, was photographed at the main protest site on Wednesday and posted on Twitter a picture of himself at the site, along with the message that he wished “everyone a peaceful and positive conclusion to this situation”. The post was later removed.

News of his apparent support for the Occupy Central movement spread quickly on social media and was picked up by several international publications, including the .

The musician is hugely popular in China, where his hit song is often played by shopping malls and fitness centres to signify to customers that it is time to leave, though he told the earlier this year that he rarely gets any royalties despite its prevalence.

“Kenny G’s musical works are widely popular in China, but China’s position on the illegal Occupy Central activities in Hong Kong is very clear,” China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in response to a reporter's question during a regular press briefing.

“We hope that foreign governments and individuals speak and act cautiously and not support the Occupy Central and other illegal activities in any form,” she added.