[Hong Kong 30th Reuters]-It turns out that the Chinese government has secretly increased the number of troops stationed in Hong Kong more than twice. This seems to be a move in preparation for further deterioration of protests over the amendment to the “Fugitive Ordinance”.
China moved thousands of security forces to Hong Kong last month. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported that it was a regular replacement of units after returning to Hong Kong in 1997.
However, seven diplomatic muscles from Asia and the Western countries pointed out that it was clear that the movement of troops carried out in the second half of August was not a normal replacement but an enhancement. Three of them also revealed that the Chinese military personnel stationed in Hong Kong have more than doubled since protests began in June. The scale of 3000-5000 people before the increase is now 10,000-12,000.
As a result, the scale of the PLA and riot police deployed in Hong Kong seems to be the largest ever.
Furthermore, according to five officials, the increased troops include the Chinese People's Armed Police (WAP, PAP). PAP is a separate organization from the People's Liberation Army and is a unit for preventing mainland disturbance and maintaining security. The expansion to Hong Kong has not been made public so far.
The Ministry of Defense of China and the Hong Kong bureau of the PLA have not responded to comments.
Nor did he comment on the office of the executive director of the Hong Kong government, Carrie Lam. A Hong Kong police spokesman told Reuters that the police unit was able to maintain law and order and was determined to restore public safety in Hong Kong.
After Reuters coverage, the Hong Kong government security officer spokesman issued a statement. He said that the activities of the PLA ’s camp in Hong Kong are in strict compliance with the law, and that details of the replacement, including scale, will not be disclosed.