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Hong Kong residents fear 'blood is about to flow' as Chinese tanks roll in

Pictures of Chinese tanks and troops rolling through the streets of Hong Kong have unsettled locals, who fear “blood is about to flow” amid pro-democracy protests.

Chinese state media shared pictures and footage of armoured personnel carriers moving in convoy in Hong Kong before dawn, with their lights flashing. A boat was also seen loaded with soldiers coming in to dock in the city.

Armored personnel carriers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) pass through the Huanggang Port border between China and Hong Kong.
Armored personnel carriers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) pass through the Huanggang Port border between China and Hong Kong. Source: Yuan Junmin / Xinhua via AP

The beefed-up military presence comes days before protesters planned to hold a march calling for full democracy for the Chinese-ruled city after three months of sometimes violent demonstrations.

Observers estimate the Hong Kong garrison numbers between 8,000 and 10,000 troops split between bases in southern China and a network of former British army barracks in Hong Kong.

Trucks full of white-gloved PLA soldiers rolled into Hong Kong within hours of the 1997 handover, raising questions about their role. They stage frequent drills but have seldom since been seen outside their bases.

A ship from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy arrives at a naval base on Stonecutters Island in Hong Kong.
A ship from China's Navy arrives at a naval base on Stonecutters Island in Hong Kong, Source: Yuan Junmin / Xinhua via AP

China has denounced the protests and accused the United States and Britain of interfering in its affairs in Hong Kong. It has sent clear warnings that forceful intervention is possible.

Military presence is ‘routine and in line with the law’

The government claims the public display is part of a routine patrol by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

"The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted the 22nd rotation of its members in the wee hours of Thursday since it began garrisoning Hong Kong in 1997," the Chinese government stated.

Trucks carrying soldiers from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) pass through the Huanggang Port border between China and Hong Kong.
Trucks carrying soldiers from China's army pass through the Huanggang Port border between China and Hong Kong. Source: Yuan Junmin / Xinhua via AP

"Approved by the Central Military Commission, the move is normal routine annual rotation in line with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Garrisoning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which stipulates that 'the Hong Kong Garrison shall practice a system of rotation of its members'."

Dennis Kwok, member of Hong Kong pro-democracy movement the Civic Party, refutes this saying the troop movements were “anything but routine”.

“I don’t believe that, given the sensitive timing that we have right now, that this is anything routine,” he told local news outlet RTHK.

Protesters raise purple lights during a demonstration in Hong Kong.
Protesters shined purple-colored lights in support of the metoo movement while holding up various placards criticising the police in Hong Kong. Source: Aidan Marzo / SOPA Images / Sipa USA via AP

“I believe it’s a deliberate posture on the part of the PLA to tell, or warn, the Hong Kong people that they may be deployed.”

He warned the use of troops would be the “end of Hong Kong” and begged the government not to use military action.

Locals have been tweeting pictures of the convoy, capturing worldwide attention from people spreading ominous messages.

“PLA tanks arrive in #hongkong. The blood is about to flow,” one person tweeted.

with Reuters

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