Protesters urge G20 leaders to discuss Hong Kong issue

By Maimaitiming Yilixiati

ANKARA (AA) - Hundreds of anti-extradition protesters in Hong Kong called on the G20 members to put more pressure on China during a global summit in Japan against a controversial bill.

"Thousands of Hong Kong anti-extradition protesters are gathering in Central, urging G20 leaders to discuss their demands at Friday's meeting in Osaka, Japan," the Hong Kongo Free Press said on Wednesday.

The online news source in the city stated that demonstrators reiterated their call on the Hong Kong government to accept their five demands including, complete withdrawal of the extradition bill, accountability for the decision of shoot, the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam, release arrested protesters and withdraw all charges.

Protesters also sent petition letters to the embassies of G20 member states, seeking more international help to mount pressure on Beijing against the proposed bill, which Hong Kong authorities postponed indefinitely last week.

Around 1,500 demonstrators gathered early in the morning at the city's Chater Garden in Central then they marched first to the U.S. Consulate nearby.

The protesters chanted slogans such as “free Hong Kong”, “liberate Hong Kong”, demanding a complete withdrawal of the controversial bill.

The city has witnessed massive rallies in recent weeks against a proposed law which protesters believe will allow the government to extradite suspects to mainland China.

Demonstrators and rights groups have also expressed worries that if the law passed it will allow China to take in political prisoners.

A Chinese top diplomat asserted Tuesday that no discussion about the current Hong Kong issue will be put on the table during this week’s G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Jun said they will not allow interference in Beijing's internal affairs at the summit, which will gather around three dozens of world leaders to discuss several major world issues in Osaka.

Hong Kong, a key business hub and shoppers' destination, is an autonomous territory of China which governs its foreign and defense policies.