Hong Kong protesters are KILLING themselves after leaving chilling last messages slamming Chinese oppression
HONG KONG has been hit by a wave of suicides by protesters opposing increasing Chinese influence in the territory.
Three people are known to have jumped to their deaths in the last three weeks, two after leaving messages in support of demonstrations against a new law that would allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China.
Critics of the proposed bill say it would erode Hong Kong's judicial independence and allow China to target opponents in the territory.
Hong Kong authorities have sought to suppress mass demonstrations opposing the bill in recent weeks, sending riot police armed with batons and pepper spray to break up peaceful protests.
Since the end of British rule in 1997, Hong Kong has been governed under a "one country, two systems" arrangement with Beijing, with its citizens enjoying broadly more freedoms than those in mainland China.
This week saw protesters brandishing the Union Jack as they took control of Hong Kong's parliament building.
'KEEP IT UP, HONG KONG'
Reports have now emerged of protesters killing themselves and leaving final messages voicing support for the demonstrations.
One woman, a 27-year-old identified on social media as Zhita Wu, posted on Facebook before jumping from the International Finance Centre, a shopping centre and office building, the Times .
"Keep it up, Hong Kong," she wrote.
"I wish I could see your victory.
";Everything makes me feel that there is no tomorrow."
A second woman, a 21-year-old student named Lo, jumped from a high-rise apartment building after writing "Against extradition to China" on its walls.
A 35-year-old man is also known to have jumped from a construction awning on the Pacific Place shopping centre after police spent hours trying to talk him down.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost - to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, over the course of this week, we will tell you the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans - and share tips from mental health experts.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others. You're Not Alone.
For a list of support services available, please see the Where To Get Help box below.
A ten-hour manhunt involving hundreds of strangers rallied on social media was launched this week after a man posted on Facebook saying that he intended to kill himself.
The man was later found in the same building from which Ms Wu jumped and was tended to by social workers.
PROTESTS ABOUT MORE THAN POLITICS
Carrie Lam, the head of the Hong Kong government, has agreed to suspend the planned extradition law, but refuses to abandon it or stand down.
Monday night saw protesters storm and occupy the building that houses Hong Kong's legislature, half the members of which are not elected but appointed by a committee accountable to Beijing.
Bonnie Leung, an opposition MP who has helped to organise the protests, told the Times: "A lot of young people are taking their lives, because they see no hope."
"This emotion is not only about politics.
"The surging cost of rent and property have put young Hong Kongers under economic pressure unknown to their parents.
"On top of this is the gradual encroachment on civil liberties.”
'WE HAVE TO STAY TOGETHER'
The Hong Kong government says the bill is a necessary step to fight crime, and that China is an important strategic partner, but opponents fear that it would not resist politically-motivated requests from Beijing.
The new bill would create a system for case-by-case fugitive transfers between Hong Kong and China.
Chinese state media has blamed “foreign forces” for the unrest, though did not specify who those foreign forces might be.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
A protester identified only as Agnes said: “We’ve already lost three people but if we lose another that won’t make the government change.
"If we are going to fight this battle, we have to stay together, and that means keeping people alive.
"We’ve got no weapons.
"All we’ve got is numbers. If we lose people, we lose strength."
UK SHOULD 'SHOW RESPECT'
The protests are the first major demonstrations since the Umbrella Movement in 2014, which began amid fears that proposed electoral reforms would allow restrictions on political candidates tantamount to the screening practised by the Chinese Communist Party.
A diplomatic row began this week after UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt marked the 22nd anniversary of the end of British rule by tweeting in support of the demonstrators.
"Want to stress UK support for Hong Kong and its freedoms is UNWAVERING on this anniversary day," he wrote.
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"No violence is acceptable but HK people MUST preserve right to peaceful protest exercised within the law, as hundreds of thousands of brave people showed today."
China accused the UK of "interfere in its domestic affairs", while its ambassador to London told the UK to keep its "hands off Hong Kong and show respect".
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit ’s website.