Hong Kong protesters appeal to Merkel before China visit

Hong Kong protest leaders on Wednesday appealed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to support their push for democracy when she visits China this week.

Prominent movement leader Joshua Wong and others recalled in an open letter published by top-selling Bild daily that Merkel grew up in the communist police state of East Germany.

"You have first-hand experience of the terrors of a dictatorial government," wrote Wong, who was temporarily arrested last week over the protests, and others.

"The Germans courageously stood at the forefront of the fight against authoritarianism during the 80s," they wrote, stressing that they share the same democratic principles.

"We hope that you will express your concern about our catastrophic situation and that you will convey our demands to the Chinese government during your stay in China." They also warned that