Teen Protest Leader Talks Freedom for Hong Kong

HONG KONG -- Police in Hong Kong cleared out a protest site in an early morning raid Wednesday.

They've torn down tents, canopies and barricades that have blocked the streets for more than two weeks.

Larger demonstration areas are still intact.

Police are getting more agressive with the pro-deomocracy protesters. But Hong Kong's leader now says he's willing to meet with them.

CBN Asia Correspondent Lucille Talusan recently sat down with one of the protest leaders, an amazing young man who's 17-years-old and a Christian.

It was in 2012 when Joshua first became a houshold name.

At 15 he founded a student movement that overturned a pro-communist school curriculum in Hong Kong.

He is now in his first year of college taking up politics and public administration. His passionate speeches have energized Hong Kong crowds at pro-democracy rallies.

CBN News' Lucille Talusan caught up with him during one of his idle moments for a rare, exclusive interview.

Talusan:  Joshua, what triggered you to do what you're doing now, fighting for democracy?

Wong: I think the reason for me to be involved in the movement and even organize the civil disobedience is just because I believe that students can choose and decide the future of Hong Kong.

The last time students stood up to the chinese government in Beijing, some were killed at Tianamen Square. That was in June 1989 and 25 years later...

Talusan: Aren't you afraid for your life?

Wong:  I think under the independence of law and freedom of press, it's still safe for me to be involved in the movement. Unlike in Mainland China, someone maybe will be kept in jail for 10 or 20 years.

We asked Wong if he had any political ambitions.

Wong:  Not really, I don't have a special idea on that. I just hope to achieve the goal of fighting for true universal suffrage in HK .

Talusan:  How do you want all of this to end?

Wong:  When we will stop the movement just depends on the attitude and the response of the government officials.

Talusan:  You're a Christian and what do you think is God's purpose for you?

Wong: Different people may have different talents under spiritual aspects. Some may be to preach the gospel, sing inspiration. I think some of the Christians should change the mindset to serve inside the church. Christians should serve and show the spirit of the Christian outside of the church.

Just moments before our interview, we found Wong eating cake, celebrating his 18th birthday with friends.

Talusan: What is your birthday wish?

Wong: Finish this movement and give more time for me to bless my parents. My parents support me and they  give me space to choose what I want to do.

Leading students in a pro-democracy movement is tiring and time consuming.

Wong's praying it will end soon, so he can get back back to a more normal life. 

Wong: I just hope after this movement, I can put more time on my study and the university. I just hope to get more time to have a rest and sleep, get more time with my parents and my girlfriend.

But for now, this young Hong Kong Christian knows he has a call on his life: Leading his generation in peaceful protests and forward to a more prosperous future.

Wong: I believe that during the whole of the movement, God will keep to walk with me.