Hong Kong protesters, waving American flags, call on Trump to ‘liberate’ city

US defence secretary urges Beijing to exercise restraint in region

Thousands of protesters in Hong Kong waved the Stars and Stripes and called on Donald Trump to “liberate” the Chinese-ruled city.

Riot police stood by as protesters sang the Star Spangled Banner and waved placards appealing for democracy after another night of violence in the 14th week of unrest.

“Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong,” they shouted before handing over petitions at the US Consulate. “Resist Beijing, liberate Hong Kong.”

On Saturday, Mark Esper, the US defence secretary, urged China to exercise restraint in Hong Kong.

Mr Esper made the remarks in Paris as police in Hong Kong prevented protesters from blocking access to the airport but fired tear gas for a second night running in the densely populated district of Mong Kok.

Last month, Mr Trump suggested China should “humanely” settle the problem in Hong Kong before a trade deal is reached with Washington.

Earlier, the US president called the protests “riots” that were a matter for China to deal with.

Sunday’s protest was peaceful, compared with some rallies that have turned violent in recent weeks, with police responding with at times water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas.

Riot police stood their lines in a standoff in the Central MTR station, near Sunday’s march, where several protesters were detained.

Hong Kong has suffered a summer of unrest over a proposed law that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China for trial.

Last week Hong Kong’s government promised to withdraw the bill, but many protesters said it was too little, too late.

The demonstrations have broadened into calls for greater democracy and many protesters have pledged to continue the fight.

Protesters on Sunday urged Washington to pass a bill, known as the Hong Kong Democratic and Human Rights Act, to support their cause.

The bill proposes sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials found to suppress democracy and human rights in the city, and could also affect Hong Kong’s preferential trade status with the US.

Additional reporting by agencies