Hong Kong protesters call on Australia to help them fight China for freedom

As Hong Kong braces for more violent protests, the leader of its protest group has told News Corp the Australian government must take a stand against China after their abuse of power.

Exclusive: Hong Kong is bracing for another wave of fresh violence ahead of today’s mass protest organised by the leading pro-democracy group.

Civil Human Rights Front March and Assembly have galvanised millions of Hong Kong people to take to the streets over the past 11 weeks of protesting, with their marches often resulting in violent clashes with police.

In an exclusive interview with News Corp, the group’s spokesman Joshua Wong, said the Australian government must take a stand against China following their abuse of power in the autonomous region.

“I hope the Australian government sends a clear message to President Xi. Now is the time for Australia to stop supporting China’s military and take a stand with Hong Kong,” he said

Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong speaks at an anti-extradition bill rally in Hong Kong. Picture: Isaac Lawrence

Pro-Beijing supporters hold Chinese national flags during a pro-government rally. Picture: Getty

“Now is the time for world leaders to speak out against what has been done to Hong Kong and support our human rights.

“The ‘one country, two systems’ has been eroded.”

Do not be fooled by Wong’s spectacles and skinny frame.

A police officer armed with a shotgun looks up at protesters on a bridge. Picture: AP

A pro-democracy protester holds eggs which he plans to throw at a police station in Hong Kong. Picture: AP

Protesters march during the anti-extradition bill protest in Hong Kong. Picture: AP

The 22-year-old is one of Hong Kong’s most formidable forces of activism.

Raised as a Christian in Hong Kong, he joined the umbrella movement at 17 and is secretary-general of pro democracy party Demosisto.

Police fire tear gas to clear pro-Democracy protesters during a demonstration on Hungry Ghost Festival day in the Sham Shui Po district on August 14. Picture: Getty

Wong, who has been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize, has been arrested and jailed numerous times and was released from prison in June.

He was given a rock star welcome when he took to the stage in front of a crowd of about 60,000 protesters in Hong Kong’s Chater Garden on Friday night.

Pro-Beijing supporters gather in Hong Kong. Picture: Getty

MORE HONG KONG NEWS:

Violent Hong Kong protests hit Australia

Aussie expats’ defiance amid Hong Kong violence

Hong Kong economy on brink of collapse

Photos show China’s plan for Hong Kong invasion

How Hong Kong protests will hurt Australia

Anti-extradition bill and pro-democracy protesters attend a rally in Hong Kong. Picture: Isaac Lawrence

He has called for the police brutality against protesters to end and condemned the use of tear gas and bean bag rounds during matches.

“Clashes are happening every week with life-threatening action from the police,” he told News Corp Australia.

“If the PLA are mobilised, we do not know what the outcome will be.”

Pedestrians yell at police during a clearance operation against anti-government protesters in the Yau Ma Tei district of Hong Kong. Picture: AFP

Protesters use steels barricades to form a defensive line inside the Quarry bay MTR station as they face with riot police in Hong Kong last Sunday. Picture: Getty

Organisers expect at least 500,000 people at today’s march in protest of police violence.

The Australian High Commission referred media requests to DFAT in Canberra, but the Smart Traveller website recommends Australians in Hong Kong exercise to high caution.

Thousands of school teachers have joined anti-government protests as shops pulled down their shutters and braced for another restive night.

Following an escalation in violence over the past few days, rallies on Saturday and Sunday are a test of whether the movement retains the broad support it has appeared to enjoy.

Saturday’s mostly peaceful protest suggested that it may though thousands also attended a pro-police counter-rally. A clearer picture is not likely to emerge until Sunday when a protest is scheduled that could draw tens of thousands. “The government has been ignoring us for months. We have to keep demonstrating,” said CS Chan, a maths teacher at a rally of teachers which police said up to 8300 people had attended despite heavy rain. Organisers said 22,000 were present.

Anti-extradition bill and pro-democracy protesters attend a rally in Hong Kong. Picture: Isaac Lawrence

The demonstrations were originally sparked by a now-paused extradition bill, but the movement has expanded into a push to protect Hong Kong’s post-British withdrawal freedoms as mainland China exerts more control.

The situation climaxed last week with bloody clashes between police and protesters in Hong Kong’s airport, sparking the cancellation of almost 1000 international flights.

Pro-democracy protesters block the entrance to the airport terminals after a scuffle with police at Hong Kong's international airport on August 13. Picture: AFP

The protest movement’s motto — “be like water” — is borrowed from Bruce Lee and is used as a tactic by protesters to remain fluid and not a static target during clashes.

The famous Hong Kong singer turned activist, Denise Ho, said public support for the movement had been impacted by protesters attacking police and a Chinese journalist at the airport last week.

Anti-extradition bill and pro-democracy protesters attend a rally in Hong Kong. Picture: Isaac Lawrence

“We’re not demanding for independence from China,” she told News Corp Australia.

“Even though China is trying to frame this movement into this, really it’s not.

“We’re just asking for what we have been promised. To have our freedoms and our human rights to be preserved.

“People are just safeguarding the city in that aspect.”

Policemen with batons and shields shout at protesters during a demonstration at the Airport in Hong Kong this week. Picture: Getty

Rain failed to dent crowds who turned out in their thousands for protests yesterday.

About three thousand people waving China’s national flag gathered by the Harbour in a show of pro-Beijing force.

“We are here to support Hong Kong police,” one man said.

Other political action in the city included a march to “reclaim our soil, restore our peace” and another by pet owners entitled “For animals’ sake, say no to tear gas”.