Hong Kong activists call on G20 leaders to help 'liberate' city

SUMMARY

Holding placards that read "Please Liberate Hong Kong" in multiple languages including Russian and German, the demonstrators, some wearing masks, marched to consulates of nations represented at the Group of 20 major economies summit in Japan this weekend.

By ReutersJun 26, 2019 2:21:09 PM IST (Updated)

More than one thousand protesters marched to major foreign consulates in Hong Kong on Wednesday, urging leaders at the upcoming G20 summit to support the full scrapping of a controversial extradition bill. REUTERS / Ann Wang

Holding placards that read "Please Liberate Hong Kong" in multiple languages including Russian and German, the demonstrators, some wearing masks, marched to consulates of nations represented at the Group of 20 major economies summit in Japan this weekend. REUTERS / Ann Wang

Millions of people in Hong Kong have protested in recent weeks against an extradition bill that would have allowed individuals, including foreigners, to be extradited to mainland China to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party. REUTERS/Ann Wang

Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed leader Carrie Lam, eventually caved in after some of the worst violence seen in decades on the city's streets, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. But Lam stopped short of protesters' demands to scrap the bill altogether, saying it would be suspended indefinitely. REUTERS / Ann Wang

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, since when it has been governed under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including the freedom to protest and an independent judiciary. But many accuse China of increased meddling over the years, obstructing democratic reforms, interfering with elections and of being behind the disappearance of five Hong Kong-based booksellers who specialised in works critical of Chinese leaders. REUTERS/Ann Wang