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.
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.
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.
"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.
“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.
PLA tanks arrive in #hongkong The blood is about to flow. pic.twitter.com/SUyu2bveCo
— A bright future Lambright 2020 (@LambrightWayne) August 28, 2019
with Reuters
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