Fresh troops of the Chinese military, as well as a warship, enter Hong Kong

Hong Kong: Fresh troops of the Chinese military have arrived in Hong Kong, with a pledge to protect Chinese sovereignty. Along with these military troops, one Chinese warship also has reached the Hong Kong port. Nonetheless, the Chinese government has clarified that the deployment of the military troops and the warship was a routine. But the analysts claim that the related photographs published by the Chinese media indicate a possible action in Hong Kong.

Wednesday late night and Thursday, the fresh military troops entered Hong Kong. Photographs of these troops and the warship in the Hong Kong harbour have been published in the Chinese media. The media informed that the military troops and the warship would be deployed at the Chinese base, in Hong Kong. The Chinese military said in its statement, ‘The Chinese military base in Hong Kong will follow instructions received from the Chinese government and central military commission and that the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ policy will be implemented.

A few days ago, information regarding the exercises of the People’s Armed Police, conducted in Shenzhen near Hong Kong was released. The Chinese military had threatened the agitators in Hong Kong, saying that the Silkworm stadium in Shenzhen is only 56 kilometres from Hong Kong and that it takes only 10 minutes to reach Hong Kong from this location. Therefore, this new deployment draws much attention.

Since the last few days, the Chinese government has frequently been signalling its determination to interfere in Hong Kong. This is endorsed by the statements made by the Chinese officials and the media. Hong Kong has a Chinese military base with deployment of more than 8,000 personnel, helicopters, warships, armed vehicles and tanks. When the United Kingdom handed over Hong Kong to China, the Garrison law was passed. According to the law, if there is a necessity, the Hong Kong administration can ask the Chinese military base for assistance. Hong Kong administration may ask assistance from the Chinese military base for maintaining public order or in disaster.

Since the last three months, anti-China protests are being staged in Hong Kong, making it the most prolonged protest against the Chinese government, as yet.