Hong Kong front-line pro-democracy protester Sunny Cheung knows the risk of revealing his face.
But the Hong Kong University student believes the threat to his homeland extends beyond his own safety.
“In Hong Kong, on the front line, people are scared," Mr Cheung told SBS News.
“They are scared because they know what their consequences could possibly [be] – like going to jail for 10 years, or [being] beaten up by police using their batons.
“They will get hurt, they will be injured and some of the protesters even lost their eyes because of the police force; they shoot their rubber bullets into their eyes.”
Sunny Cheung is part of the Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation. Source: SBS News
Despite this fear, the 23-year-old says police brutality will not stop protesters taking to the streets.
“We want to fight for justice; we want to fight for universal suffrage which we believe is an inherent human right and should be enjoyed by each individual in modern society,” Mr Cheung said.
“We love Hong Kong and we treat Hong Kong as our motherland.”
Arriving in Australia on Tuesday morning with a group of fellow protesters representing the Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation, Mr Cheung is urging local lawmakers to intervene.
“We want the Australian government to try and be cautious about Chinese intervention and influence … and money diplomacy,” Mr Cheung said.
“Most of the protesters they are just students, they are just high school kids and that’s why of course we cannot fight against soldiers and the communist party.”
Protection for Hong Kong students in Australia
The delegation is also seeking the protection of Hong Kongers studying abroad in Australian universities after friction between Chinese and Hong Kong students has erupted on campuses across the country.
“Hong Kong students in Australia have been followed by some Chinese people,” Mr Cheung said.
“We know that they [Hong Kong students] are just exercising their freedom of speech and academic freedom in the campus but unfortunately they are beaten-up by Chinese students."
Fellow Hong Kong protester Zoui Leung told SBS News, Hong Kongers in Australia receive similar threats as those abroad.
“They receive threatening messages like us,” Miss Leung said.
“Emails, phone numbers and address are posted on Weibo, a Chinese social platform.
“Their privacy is exposed [and] Chinese people send insulting messages to them and [put] them in danger.”
Zoui Leung's parents are worried about her protesting in Hong Kong. They "think politics is something dirty and women should not touch politics." Source: SBS News
On Thursday the front-liners plan to meet with politicians in Canberra to win support for their cause.
The 19-year-old told SBS News, the delegation would like to meet with Federal Ministers and Senators “to explain the situation in Hong Kong and seek their help.”
"Many Hong Kongers are really depressed, they are really angry because after many peaceful rallies and demonstrations, our government still doesn’t listen to our voice or fulfil our demands,” Miss Leung said.
“Some teenagers commit suicide because they feel it’s really hopeless for them.”
But Ms Leung believes the escalating violence in Hong Kong needs to be viewed in context.
“We have tried conversations with Carrie Lam we have tried many peaceful protests in June and July but it seems our government wouldn’t listen to our five demands,” Ms Leung said.
“That’s the reason why our protesters have become angrier and more upset; to get our government to listen to our voice.”
“My parents really want to protect me from politics … I’m not scared for myself but I am scared [for] my family.”
An Australian visit with a purpose
Twenty-six-year-old student Lung Yuk Sing is worried about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong could end in a repeat of history.
“I really feel like we are going toward the Tienanmen situation, I really don’t wish to see any people die,” Mr Sing said.
“Just yesterday night I knew about a teenager, a student younger than me who is in a coma because of the police brutality.
“They think they are doing the right thing but they refused to give the first aid person a chance to save him.”
Lung Yuk Sing is studying to be an actor while fighting for Hong Kong's freedom. Source: SBS News
But Mr Sing said the delegation’s mission is to “seek help from other countries … to help us fight for the Hong Kong Government.”
Calling on the international community, the student delegation will next travel to the British House of Commons and the US Congress.
“I think every person in the free world believes in freedom, which you have [in Australia],” Mr Sing told SBS News.
“That’s why I think all of you will be in a situation where you have to fight for freedom because China has a lot of interference in your country.”
“We hope they [the Australian government] can have an agreement [with] us … that they will give support to the Hong Kong people.”
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (up to age 25). More information about mental health is available at Beyond Blue.
