Read Transcript EXPAND
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: But I understand your protest is about as much about economic rights for your generation as it is about, you know, the controversial extradition bill that started all this.
JOSHUA WONG, PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST: Not only urging (INAUDIBLE) to terminate it and withdraw the extradition bill, we also have the cause for free election. We believe democracy could protect our political and economic freedom. If Carrie Lam or President Xi decide to send PLA to Hong Kong, they are the one who destroy Hong Kong economy.
AMANPOUR: As you very well know, there is a picture circulating of you speaking with an American diplomat and Beijing has taken this as evidence that the United States is behind the protest, that they call it the black hand of the U.S. Why were you talking to this American diplomat?
WONG: Sharing our point of view to the diplomat from U.S. and different countries around the world is really common and reasonable at all. If we need to let people around the world know about what’s the next step and how we or Hong Kong people passionate and determine to continue our protest. When Hong Kong people were fired by the tear gas and rubber bullets purchased and produces from the United States, it’s really reasonable to have a meeting with those U.S. diplomats and to explain the concern of Hong Kong people. We urge U.S. government to take the reference from what have been announced by U.K., stop the export license of crowd control equipment to Hong Kong, never should the U.S. show any kind of bullet or tear gas to Hong Kong riot police and they should not be part of the supporters of the police brutality in Hong Kong.
AMANPOUR: Are you asking the United States for any help in your protest and democracy movement?
WONG: As we know that under the current leadership of President Trump, business interests or daily life of Americans might be more important than human rights. But I believe the U.S. government should still keep their eyes and pay attention to the recent protests. Now, the summer of discontent might continue until the national day of China at the 1st of October. And it’s a must for them to protect Hong Kong’s people political and economic freedom. Because if economic freedom of Hong Kong might be eroded and damaged by Beijing, it will not only threaten the daily life of Hong Kong people but also affect the business interests of America’s companies in Hong Kong. That’s why I hope the U.S. politicians, they should take a more active role to support Hong Kong democratization to ensure the interest of U.S. citizen in Hong Kong might be protected
About This Episode EXPAND
Christiane Amanpour speaks to Joshua Wong about growing tensions between Chinese officials and protesters in Hong Kong. Tom Malinowski joins the program to reflect on unrest in Hong Kong, Kashmir and Moscow. McKay Coppins discusses conspiracy theorists’ reactions to Jeffrey Epstein’s death. Casey Gerald sits down with Michel Martin to talk about his article, “The Black Art of Escape.”
LEARN MORE