'Slanderous lies': Hong Kong activists in Australia refute China's 'staged' protest accusation

The organisers of protests in Australia against a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong have criticised China's state-run publication The Global Times after it claimed that the demonstrations were nothing more than staged "shows".

Thousands of demonstrators attended rallies in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth on Sunday calling for the government of Hong Kong not to push ahead with amendments to existing extradition laws, which would make it easier to send criminal suspects to mainland China, where they could face unfair trials.

The protests were held in support of the mass demonstrations in Hong Kong, which descended into violence over the weekend as the bill proceeded to a parliamentary debate. 

An editorial in the Times claimed that the demonstrations in Australia were staged “shows” and suggested they were funded by organisations “ready to foot the bill”.

A demonstration in Sydney on Sunday. Source: Jane Poon

The comments have been rejected as "false" by the Australia-Hong Kong Link, who organised the demonstrations. 

"Their prejudiced and slanderous lies cannot be further from the truth. The protests and rallies across major cities held by Hong Kongers in Australia over the past weeks were not backed by any political parties," a spokesperson told SBS Cantonese. 

"They were organised by volunteers who wished to stand in solidarity with fellow Hong Kongers back home. The false allegations by Global Times only exemplify the guilty conscience of the Chinese Communist government, as well as their ulterior motives behind the Hong Kong Extradition Bill."

The organisation called on the Chinese publication to present evidence proving that the Australian demonstrations were staged and funded by Australian or foreign "forces".

"The fact that our opponents would stoop to unfounded accusations to plead their cause just go to show how weak and illegitimate their arguments are," added the spokesperson. 

On Wednesday, chaos erupted again in Hong Kong with tens of thousands of demonstrators storming key roads next to government offices.

Protesters use barriers to build barricades during a rally against an extradition bill outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, China, 12 June 2019. Source: AAP

The protesters rallied in and around Lung Wo Road, an important east-west artery near the offices of embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam, as hundreds of riot police warned them to stop.

Some erected barricades to block traffic in the heart of the Asian financial centre, with many defying police calls to retreat, in scenes reminiscent of pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in late 2014.

The government advised staff to avoid driving to work because roads were blocked.

The Australia-Hong Kong Link said it would hold a protest in front of the State Library of NSW on Wednesday night.