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U.S., Russian, Chinese, Iranian Leaders Set To Address UN General Assembly; Hong Kong Protesters Commemorate Anniversary of Umbrella Movement; Chinese Activists Say Human Rights Worse Under Current President; Yazidis Bid Tearful Farewell to Iraq. 8:00-9:00a ET

Aired September 28, 2015 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[08:00:08] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And welcome to News Stream.

Now all eyes are President Obama and other world leaders as they prepare to address the United Nations General Assembly.

And protesters gather here in Hong Kong on the first anniversary of the Umbrella Movement. We'll speak to student leader Joshua Wong.

And victims of ISIS in Iraq bid farewell to their country to seek a better life away from the brutal reach of the militant group.

And we begin at the United Nations in New York where the 70th session of the General Assembly is underway and we can expect to hear from a host

of heavy hitters today.

In about two hours, U.S. President Barack Obama will take the stage. China's Xi Jinping comes a little bit later on followed by Russia's

President Vladimir Putin and Iran's Hassan Rouhani.

Now the Cuban President Raul Castro is back in the U.S. for the first time in more than 50 years. He will also speak.

Now, it is a busy day ahead with the spotlight on major issues facing the world. And CNN's Robyn Curnow is standing by for us live in New York.

And Robyn, again, a number of heavy-hitters set to speak today. What should we expect?

ROBYN CURNOW, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Indeed. I mean, how is that list? I mean, we're talking about a really important gathering of

world leaders, more than 150 of them coming here to the United Nations behind me.

Lots to talk about, a lot of positions to cover.

Our Richard Roth is inside this building. I'm outside with all the satellite trucks and all the security. Richard Roth is however in there.

And I want to get a sense from him -- you've been covering the UN for a long time. I know it's the 70th anniversary, Richard. I know you haven't

been here that long, but give us an understanding, do you think, of what is the most important thing that is going to be touched on today?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think Syria is topic number one. President Putin meeting with President Obama on the sidelines, but both

leaders will address the general assembly. Right now, as we look at it, you can see the pictures of world leaders and their underlings arriving

here at UN headquarters.

Let's not also forget this is the UN at 70. The charter was supposed to -- it said the UN was set up to stop the, quote, scourge of war. But

we've had another bad year. One ambassador telling me there's been a collective failure among the countries.

So, let's look again at Syria. You have Russia more aggressive -- troops on the ground there. The U.S. has to respond. President Putin in

an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes defended Russia's presence to support the Assad regime.

CURNOW: Indeed.

And Putin coming in. He's flying in just for the day. He is going to have a conversation, a bilateral meeting with President Obama. It's going

to be interesting to see what comes out, if anything, of that meeting.

In terms of Obama's speech, that's up first, essentially, the first speech we're going to get a real eyeball to.

We understand at least from the White House that the U.S. president is going to be very blunt, isn't he?

ROTH: That's what they're saying. He was very relaxed, but passionate. President Obama at a Sunday speech on social issues. At one

point saying, look, maybe it's his gray hair or his seven years in the office as we watch UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon enter, the president of

the United States, according to his aides, will speak very openly and bluntly about how he sees the world. President Obama will only have a few

months left in office when he returns next year for his AIDS speech -- Robyn.

CURNOW: Indeed.

So, President Obama, this is his seventh speech, but then we look at someone like Raul Castro, even Xi Jinping, I mean, these are momentous men,

big arrivals, big names to be talking in that building today. What do you think Mr. Castro is going to say?

ROTH: Well, this is all part of the coming out, the branding sometimes of these leaders. Cuba is looking forward to better relations

with the United States. Castro knows that every year the United Nations General Assembly votes in favor of his country against the U.S. embargo.

There have been some reports that Washington is likely to abstain on that vote. Certainly what he says here today could help in that regard, even

though on Saturday he once again denounced the embargo to cheers inside the UN general assembly audience.

President Obama has a private meeting with Raul Castro tomorrow. China, as you mentioned -- Xi Jinping first appearance here. China

announced big money, billions for social and development issues, but China has a list of what it wants from the UN. You might hear that from Xi

Jinping in his speech, including touching on human rights and the rule of law. The way China sees it, that developing countries should have more

power.

Back to you.

[08:05:17] CURNOW: But when it does come down it -- and as you said in your first answer -- this is all about Syria and the ricochet effect of

the breakdown in Syria, whether it's about migrants in Europe or whether it's about Russian movements in Syria, for example.

So, really, they're going to be all eyes on Vladimir Putin and what exactly he wants and his relationship, or how this is all going to play out

with the Americans

ROTH: Yes. In an interview on 60 Minutes Sunday night inside the United States, Americans got maybe a new first look again at Putin who

seemed very relaxed, very much in control, talked about the deaths in his family in World War II, talked about how America has its own problems, when

questioned, such as Ferguson, which we know we've talked about riots and the civil rights disturbances. And he talked again about supporting the

Assad regime and how that can only help perhaps eventually keep a more firmer peace in that region.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): ...other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government

structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism. But at the same time, urging them to engage in positive dialogue with the rational

opposition and conduct reform.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: Now Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov met with Secretary Kerry I believe maybe twice in the last few days. And they lay the groundwork,

Robyn, for the Putin-Obama meeting. They've got to try to see if there's any common ground with the Russian troops now on the ground and how the

U.S. will respond.

They call it deconflicting. They don't want all the different forces and the airstrikes, to make sure that no party hits another accidentally.

It's a very complex situation, as you mention. The ricochet spillover effect. You've got hostilities between Iran and Saudi Arabia because of

the hajj, China with ambitions on islands in Asia. It's not just Syria, you've got Ukraine, you've got a whole host of issues for the UN at 70.

When you turn 70, you may have more problems than when you were 50. I was here for the UN at 50.

Thank you for that.

We will be coming back to you a number of times throughout the day, because your vast experience at least gives us some perspective on what's

happening here. And as you know, Richard Roth, I mean there is going to be a lot of self-congratulations, a real paying attention to the achievements

of the UN after 70 years. And there is going to be many -- much highlighting of common goals in all of that. But at the same time, we're

going to see usual UN fare, which is how many of these countries will then once they've praised the UN set out diametrically opposing solutions on how

to deal with all of these problems.

So, Richard, thanks for that. And we'll come back to you throughout the day.

And Kristie, we're here on the pavement outside the UN. Christiane Amanpour, Wolf Blitzer, as well as a number of my other CNN colleagues are

also here, so stick around.

LU STOUT: Yeah. And Robyn, it is quite a lineup of world leaders speaking at the UN General Assembly this day with, as Richard Roth

reported, Syria, issue number one.

Robyn Curnow there. Thank you.

Now, as reported, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is among those scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly, but he will head home

immediately afterward so he can take part in repatriation ceremonies for Iranians killed in last weeks' hajj stampede.

Over the weekend, Mr. Rouhani sat down with CNN's Christiane Amanpour for a wide ranging interview. At one point, she asked him whether his

government has a legal process for the Americans it is still holding prisoner, including the Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian. And here

is what Mr. Rouhani had to say about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HASSAN ROUHANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAN (through translator): There are a number of Iranians in the United States who are imprisoned, who went to

prison in result of activities related to the nuclear industry in Iran. And today, the UN Security Council has agreed, according to resolution

2231, to lift those sanctions. Once these sanctions have been lifted, why keep those folks in American prisons?

So, they must be freed. If the Americans take the appropriate steps and set them free, certainly the right environment will be open and the

right circumstances will be created for us to do everything without our power and our purview to bring about the swiftest freedom for the Americans

held in Iran as well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LU STOUT: Hassan Rouhani speaking to CNN there.

And do stay with CNN for special coverage of the UN General Assembly all day. We'll be bringing you the Iranian president's speech live. And

we'll also hear from the leaders of the U.S., China and Russia among many others. Our special coverage begins in just under an hour from now.

Now, one year ago, police fired tear gas on student protesters in Hong Kong, triggering large protests for Democracy. And now some have returned

to mark that anniversary. We'll hear from the leaders of the Umbrella Movement.

And, it has been a year since the horrific ethnic cleansing of the Yazidis by ISIS. The story of those who fled for their lives next.

Also, activists claimed that they were tortured and imprisoned by Chinese authorities for defending the public's rights. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:12:08] LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

Now one year ago Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement found its voice with the start of the Umbrella Movement. Tens of thousands turned out in

force to rally and support each other after police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse pro-Democracy protesters. It sparked a movement that

lasted for weeks.

So where do things stand now?

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: An outbreak of violence that shocked Hong Kong and the world. Tensions Erupting as police unleash tear gas on peaceful pro-

Democracy protesters with our journalists caught in the chaos.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're now going to be enveloped in tear gas.

LU STOUT: But from these clashes came the Umbrella Movement, so named for the umbrellas used to shield protesters in the tear gas and pepper

spray.

Hundreds of thousands occupied Hong Kong's financial district and elsewhere to demand true universal suffrage: one person, one vote without

interference from Beijing.

It has been one year since that massive crowd took over this eight lane highway, effectively shutting down a key part of the city for 79 days.

And today, many people asking after all the passion and protests, what has been achieved.

After public opinion turned, the protesters were cleared off the streets. Hong Kong's embattled leader CY Leung remains in charge. And

while democrats rejected a Beijing-backed proposal for a limited democracy, the no vote maintained the status quo. The Umbrella Movement's call for

democracy was ultimately denied.

And yet student protest leaders still believe it was not all for nothing.

NATHAN LAW, STUDENT PROTEST LEADER (through translator): I'm not pessimistic about it nor do I feel bad about it when I see how things have

calmed down. I think everyone is preparing, waiting for the right reasons to take to the streets again.

LU STOUT: Joshua Wong, the teenage face of the pro-democracy movement, has shifted his focus to the year 2047 when Hong Kong's semi-

autonomous status expires, leaving its future an open question. He has taken his campaign message beyond Hong Kong, speaking in Washington, D.C.

last week.

After the street protest ended, most of the demonstrators returned to their classes or their jobs. But life is not the same for many of them.

Protest leaders, including Joshua Wong and Nathan Law are involved in legal proceedings on charges of unlawful assembly. And many dare not to travel

into mainland China.

There are also growing concerns that Beijing is increasingly inserting its authority over Hong Kong.

Despite the pressure and scrutiny, Hong Kong's young activists say they are still pushing for change as Student Union leader Nathan Law is

focusing on maintaining academic freedom.

LAW (through translator): Once academic freedom is jeopardized, political power can control our thoughts and it will be very hard to fight

for democracy.

[08:15:11] LU STOUT: Although Democracy remains elusive in this Chinese city, the Umbrella Movement did achieve one thing: the political

awakening of an entire generation, many who won't give up their fight to determine their political fate.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now student leader Joshua Wong was actually in jail this time last year for inciting earlier protests. But today, he got to take

part in a pro-democracy rally along with hundreds of other Kong Kongers to mark the one year anniversary of the Umbrella Movement. And earlier, I

asked him what the movement achieved.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSHUA WONG, UMBRELLA MOVEMENT STUDENT PROTEST LEADER: With the new generation political awareness, I'm still optimistic with the future

continue to fight for democracy and the autonomy under the joint declaration. And I do not regret with all the decisions I made in the last

year.

LU STOUT: There is this political awakening among the youth of Hong Kong as a result of this last year, but CY Leung, the chief executive of

Hong Kong, remains in power. There is still no true universal suffrage. Does part of you feel that the umbrella movement so far has failed?

WONG: I don't think it really is a failed movement, because I think it's really an important milestone for the progress for Hong Kong citizen

(inaudible) democracy.

Of course in the short-term, we admit that we can't achieve any (inaudible). CY Leung is still CY Leung, being the chief executive. But

we are trying to turn something impossible to the possible. It's really a long road for us, especially in the history. None of the city can achieve

democracy or universal suffrage under the rule of Communist Party.

Actually last year movement we have created the miracle already. However, a miracle still can't force the (inaudible) accept our requests.

LU STOUT: You want to shift your focus to the year 2047. We've talked about this before on the program. And 2047 is when Hong Kong is

going to lose its semi-autonomous status with mainland China. You want a referendum to take place so the people of Hong Kong can decide its future

after that year. When will that referendum take place?

WONG: I think maybe 15 years later in 2030 I hope that we can have a referendum -- for a referendum one person, one vote to decide the future of

Hong Kong by this kind of self-determination.

Of course it's really hard to achieve because self-determination or referendum is a goal that really hard to achieve compared to (inaudible)

universal suffrage.

But a new generation will just still continue to try our best to create another new miracle again

LU STOUT: What do you want for the future of Hong KOng? What do you want personally? Do you want the continuation of the system right now or

do you want independence for Hong Kong?

WONG: Any choice that can let Hong Kong continue to have autonomy and democracy is enough.

LU STOUT: You've been charged with participating in unlawful assembly...

WONG: And also inciting...

LU STOUT: Inciting unlawful assembly. That's going to go to trial soon. What will be the outcome of that trial?

WONG: Actually in 26 and the 30 of October I need to go to the court because of inciting others to involve an unauthorized assembly. Of course

I'm not a law profession. I could not judge that whether I will go to the court or not. It should be judged by the court.

However, I -- somehow I maybe go to the court next year, but I do not regret with (inaudible) some of the people should of course student leader

maybe pay the price for the movement.

LU STOUT: Yeah. What's that price?

WONG: Maybe go to prison.

LU STOUT: When you graduate, who would be willing to hire you?

WONG: It's really a question that I'm also thinking. But, of course being a student I do not need to worry about my job or where is my income,

because I'm still not need full-time work in different place or have a full-time job.

But I just hope that while I'm just a student that maybe I graduate three years later. In the next three years I can continue to stand on the

front line to fight for the (inaudible) of Hong Kong.

LU STOUT: You were on a government watch list in mainland China. Your job prospects are pretty dim. The Umbrella Movement not as active as

it once was. Was it all worth it?

WONG: I think it's still worth, because even I'm not on the watch list I don't think that the new generation really see the future in Hong

Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: And that was Hong Kong student protest leader Joshua Wong speaking to me earlier on the one year anniversary of the start of the

city's Umbrella Movement.

And underscoring the difference between Hong Kong and Mainland China as a protesters here fight to protect Hong Kong's freedoms and to advance

democracy, we have learned that our reports on the Umbrella movement, they were just blacked out, censored, on the air in Beijing.

Now, Typhoon Dujuan is bringing misery to Taiwan, this powerful storm has already dumped half a meter of rain on parts of Taiwan before it moves

on to mainland China.

Now Dujuan also brings wind gusts of up to 270 kilometers an hour. And these conditions could lead to flooding and bring the potential for

landslides.

Now in Spain, separatists campaigning for an independent Catalonia are celebrating. Pro-independence parties have won a majority of seats in the

regional parliament. Catalonia, with its capital in Barcelona, is Spain's richest region. And Catalans have long complained that the wealth is used

to subsidize poorer parts of the country.

Now, Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said that secession by Catalonia would be a breach of the Spanish constitution. A nationwide

election is due to take place in December.

Now you're watching News Stream. And still ahead, a group that bore the brunt of ISIS brutality confronts a new reality. How some Yazidis in

northern Iraq will try to move on far from their homeland.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now it has been roughly a year since the world saw firsthand what ISIS was doing to a religious minority in northern Iraq. The Yazidis Kurds were

forced from their homes. Some were killed, others were taken prisoner.

Ivan Watson was there when dozens of Yazidis made a pilgrimage to a holy shrine before leaving to start a new life in Germany.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[08:25:07] IVAN WATSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They are dressed mostly in black, the color of mourning. Women whose faces we will

not show to protect their privacy. Yazidi Kurds subjected to unspeakable crimes by ISIS. They receive a final blessing from their spiritual leader.

"What ISIS did to you will not happen again," the Yazidi patriarch says. "Stop wearing black, it will only remind us of what we have

suffered."

Iraq is the ancestral homeland of the Yazidis, an ancient ethnic and religious community. Nestled in a valley in the Kurdish controlled north,

a Yazidi sanctuary called the Lalish (ph) temple.

I'm deep in the heart of the Lalish (ph) temple, the holiest site for the Yazidis. This religious minority has a long and painful history of

persecution. But no one could have predicted the ferocity of the assault that they faced at the hands of ISIS starting in 2014.

A little more than a year ago, ISIS militants attacked the northern province of Sinjar where they allegedly massacred more than 3,000 Yazidis

and captured at least 5,000 more triggering a mass exodus as hundreds of thousands of Yazidis fled their homes.

MIRZA DINNAYI, YAZIDI ACTIVIST: We are all of us are traumatized now (inaudible).

WATSON: Yazidi activist Mirza Dinnayi has interviewed more than 1,000 former Yazidi captives of ISIS.

DINNAYI: Many of them were sex slaves under ISIS captivity. They were beaten, tortured by ISIS fighters. They are -- they have PTSD, hard

depression, and we have no instruments here in Iraq to treat them.

WATSON: This month 66 Yazidi women and children begin the long journey to Germany. They emerge from the Lalish (ph) temple barefoot as is the

custom on this sacred ground.

Among those leaving is 15-year-old Sabaa Mirzim Mahmoud (ph).

"I'm both happy and sad to go," he says. "ISIS killed my dad, my cousins and uncles and they kidnapped 25 relatives, including women."

Sabaa's (ph) uncle shows photos of murdered family members.

Not pictured, Sabaa's (ph) 16-year-old sister who was enslaved by ISIS for three months before she escaped.

Her family will get a chance at a new life in Germany, but that does not make saying good-bye any easier.

"Go ahead, get on the bus," Sabaa's (ph) uncle tells his nephew.

This is the agony of the Yazidis, attacked because of their faith with thousands still in modern-day slavery, survivors left with little choice

but to say farewell to their homeland.

Ivan Watson, CNN, at the Lalish (ph) temple in Iraqi Kurdistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Heartbreaking to see that community being torn apart.

You're watching News Stream. And still ahead on the program, fighting for human rights inside China and paying the price. One activist says the

crackdown has grown worse under Chinese Xi Jinping.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:31:01] LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching News Stream. And these are your world headlines.

Now a rally was held a short time ago here in Hong Kong to mark the one year anniversary of the Umbrella Movement, the city's major push for

democracy. Many people showed up carrying those iconic yellow umbrellas. In autumn of last year, tens of thousands of people filled the streets for

months blocking off key parts of the city, which was creating works of protest art.

Now Taiwan is getting hit by a powerful storm. Typhoon Dujuan is bringing wind gusts of 270 kilometers an hour, has already dumped half a

meter of water on some parts of Taiwan. The government has announced it plans to shut the rail service.

German prosecutors are opening an investigation into Martin Winterkorn, the former CEO of Volkswagen. Winterkorn resigned last week

after Volkswagen admitted that it rigged emissions tests for millions of diesel vehicles. Winterkorn apologized for the scandal and said he was not

aware of any wrongdoing on his part.

World leaders will be speaking at the annual UN General Assembly today. U.S. President Barack Obama will take the stage in less than two

hours. China's Xi Jinping comes later on followed by Russia's Vladimir Putin and Iran's Hassan Rouhani.

Now as reported, it is a big day at the United Nations. The Chinese President Xi Jinping will make his first appearance at the General

Assembly. He's expected to mention China's plan to cut carbon emissions, but he may stay largely silent on the issue of human rights.

Saima Mohsin shows us what happens to some activists fighting inside China for reform.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: For years, Ni Yulan has had to use a wheelchair to get around, a result she claims of injury

she sustained from police who tortured her. A human rights campaigner for over a decade, she says China's human rights crackdown is worse under

President Xi Jinping.

NI YULAN, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST (through translator): There are many law abiding citizens who are fighting for rights, not just human rights

lawyers. The authorities are afraid of more people like that coming out and taking a stand against the government.

MOHSIN: That's what rights groups say happened in July when police arrested or detained nearly 150 lawyers, activists and their families.

Why?

YULAN (through translator): Because lawyers are doing more to defend people's rights, a lot of victims of persecution are starting to seek out

legal help.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The defenses, including disrupting...

MOHSIN: But Chinese officials had a different reasons...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The nine were led by...

MOHSIN: Police telling state media they'd targeted a criminal gang suspected of illegally organizing a paid protest.

Ni had studied law and became an activist when houses, including her own, were being torn down to make way for the Beijing Olympics. She

alleges that she was arrested, detained and beaten while taking photographs of officials carrying out demolition work.

YULAN (through translator): A group of cops dragged me into an interrogation room. They put a rope around my neck and tied my hands

behind my back. They pinned me down to the ground and pulled me up by my neck.

Then I was sent to the detention center. After 75 days in a cell, my hips, spine and waist were all seriously injured.

MOHSIN: Chinese authorities deny the torture allegations.

But Ni spent more than two years in jail again in 2011 for making trouble and continues to attract attention from the authorities.

YULAN: Last year, during the APEC summit, a huge number of police officers trapped us inside our home here. They stopped us from going out,

nor would they let visitors in.

MOHSIN: Ni Yulan told me she and fellow activists appeal to other countries to pay closer attention to China's human rights situation because

international pressure still makes a difference, despite China's rising economic might.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: All right, for more on this story, Saima joins us now live from Beijing.

And Saima, amidst all this controversy and scrutiny about its human rights record, we know that the Chinese President Xi Jinping will be making

his first appearance before the UN General Assembly in just a few hours from now. What should we expect to hear?

[08:35:22] MOHSIN: Well, Kristie, he really wants to focus on the positives, of course and the successes that he's seen during his trip to

the United States with President Obama, namely he wants to highlight climate change, that cap and trade system that China announced on Friday,

which will try to limit carbon emissions. Of course, China the world's largest polluter who also want to talk about China trying to go green.

Those are the kind of positive successes he really wants to highlight as far as China is concerned.

We're also told he wants to speak about a peace initiative that he wants countries to work with him on. And maybe touch on the controversial

expansion in the South China Sea, which will be interesting to hear about - - Kristie.

LU STOUT: Also, over the weekend, Hillary Clinton made some interesting remarks about the Chinese president in a tweet, saying that it

was shameless for Xi Jinping to host a meeting on women's rights at the UN while persecuting feminists.

What has been the reaction there to those comments?

MOHSIN: Yeah, she was pulling no punches. We haven't heard anything back yet from the Chiense camp, but just to explain what that was all about

was that China has co-hosted a women summit on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Now Hillary Clinton saying that that was kind of rich, as far as China is concerned, given -- you just saw my report there -- the kind of impact

it has on women here being imprisoned and of course human rights activists, that large crackdown we saw over the summer.

Now, President Xi during this summit laid out a four point agenda, Kristie, for women's rights. He said that he wanted to see less

discrimination and prejudice, a huge irony there as far as Hillary Clinton was concerned and as we saw in my report.

Another irony, Kristie, is that President Xi is on Facebook, by the way. And Facebook is banned here in China. Interesting.

LU STOUT: Yeah, very interesting indeed. And promoting a hashtag as well on Xi's visit to the U.S. Xi Jinping in the spotlight for a number of

reasons.

Saima Mohsin reporting live from Beijing. Thank you.

You're watching News Stream. And coming up, he has big shoes to fill. Trevor Noah prepares for his debut on the Daily Show. And CNN talked to

him about how he hopes to put his mark on the popular satirical news program.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, Trevor Noah makes his debut as a new host of the Daily Show on Monday night. And the task he got to be daunting. He takes over for Jon

Stewart, the very popular host who helmed the satirical news show for some 16 years.

Now the 31-year-old South African talked with our Brian Stelter about his plans for the program.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: The Daily Show is one of the most important liberal institutions in America. For liberals, for

progressives Jon Stewart was an icon. How can you come in and possibly give people that same kind of comfort or encouragement or whatever it is at

the end of the day that Jon Stewart was giving to those people who were fed up with the rest of the media.

[08:40:02] TREVOR NOAH, HOST, DAILY SHOW: I consider myself a progressive, you know, but I don't limit myself honestly to the world of

liberal or conservative because I didn't grow up in that world. We didn't have those staid views or political standpoints.

So, in political parties in South Africa there are conservatives and liberals within the party. There's fights within it, which I think is a

healthy thing to have. And so that's what I'm going to try and do is get to a place where I go. This is how I feel.

I also live in the world. You know, I'm also seeing these things. It's sort of like I sleep and live in a vacuum that is the Daily Show. I

want the world to be a better place. I want things, you know, to be addressed.

STELTER: So, there will be some advocacy?

NOAH: Oh, yeah, definitely, definitely. That's who I am as a human being. That's why I connected with Jon Stewart, you know. We had a

connection, we shared that. So we would talk about that and that's why he said come on to the show let's do more of this. And so we continue that.

STELTER: You've said you're not a political junkie. So will the show be a little less political? Maybe less of the outrage that we heard from

Jon Stewart toward the end of his tenure?

NOAH: I think his outrage was very justified. I hope that the time it takes for me become outraged is a long time. I hope to enjoy my period

of peace, you know, in terms of how I look at the news and what I interpret from it.

But, to not be a political junkie does not mean that I am not immersed in what is happening around me. I think politics and social issues affect

so much more than we generally think it does, you know, it works its way into the media, it works its way into the entertainment industry, and even

into sports in the smallest ways possible.

So, once you identify that, you find that everything is linked and you can make any story or you can bring to the attention of the audience any

story that you feel pertains to what we're going through in life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Trevor Noah, good luck.

Now before we go, let's pay tribute to the creative side of Hong Kong's Umbrella Movement. On the one year anniversary of that push for

Democracy, it was more than just a forum for frustration, an anger against the government, it was also an outlet for artistic expression.

Now this is the other side of the protest movement.

That area that is normally a crowded highway became half protest camp, half open air art gallery. Streets were converted into canvases, the walls

of buildings turned, as you saw just then, colorful calls for change.

And that is News Stream. And World Sport with Christina McFarlane is up next. I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. And I'll leave you with these

scenes from the Umbrella Movement of Hong Kong.

END