Hunger strikers fight Hong Kong extradition

Hunger strikers say they will continue their protest

HONG KONG, China -- About 20 people took a hunger strike into its third day outside the Hong Kong Final Appeal Court to protest their right to stay in the territory.

The protestors vowed Tuesday to continue their vigil until the last stage of a two-year court battle by the mainland Chinese to stay in Hong Kong was over.

In court, the Hong Kong government told the territory's highest court that more than 5,000 of the mainlanders must go home before seeking the right to reunite with their families in Hong Kong.

Government lawyer Geoffrey Ma said the court must honour a controversial 1999 decision by Beijing that ruled China-born migrants must attain exit visas before coming to Hong Kong.

He urged the Court not to be swayed by emotions.

QUOTE "I won't go. The court granted me right to stay two years ago, didn't it."  Hong Kong hunger striker

"We are not dealing with matters of politics, nor matters of emotion, but of the law," he said. "The legislation was to ensure that there would be an orderly arrival of immigrants and the prevention of unfairness and queue-jumping."

Four people were reported not feeling well and were sent to hospital.

Ngan Siu-lai stayed in a hospital for some hours before hurrying back to the protest area to continue the hunger strike with others.

Ngan Siu-lai, weak after days without food, was sent to hospital

"My brother closed down his business in China to come to stay in Hong Kong. Now the government is telling him to go back," she said.

Resistance to possible ruling

Sixty-seven year-old Wong Yuen-fong was in tears when she told of her ordeal: "I'm old and my husband is 77. If the government deports my four sons and daughters, there will be no one take care of us."

Another abode seeker Yu Ching-leung in her 20's said she wants a Hong Kong identity card so that she can find a job.

They plan to carry on their hunger strike outside the court until Thursday, when the hearing is completed.

Hunger strikers show a united front

Catholic priest Franco Mella who has been helping them since two years ago said the government has exaggerated the figure of mainlanders who might reside in Hong Kong if the government grants them the right.

"The government says some one million people will come in ten years . . . we estimate that the number should be something close to 200,000 only," said Mella.

Five judges will make a decision by the end of October at the earliest.

Some litigants said they wouldn't go back to China even the court rules against them.

"I won't go. The court granted me right to stay two years ago, didn't it," said Yu Ching-leung.

An elderly Wong Yuen-fong, whose children have lived in Hong Kong only since last year, said she would not want to live if they were to be deported because no one will be taking care of her and her husband.

CNN's Patricia Lai in Hong Kong contributed to this report

Reuters contributed to this report.