Chinese paramilitary forces gathered near Hong Kong border

International Desk: China has deployed large numbers of paramilitary personnel close to the border with Hong Kong, in what observers say is intended to send a message to protesters in the Asian financial hub.

On Wednesday, CNN teams on the ground in the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen saw uniformed members of the People's Armed Police Force (PAP) with riot shields and batons, as well as numerous semi-militarized vehicles, stationed at the city's Bay Sports Center.

The PAP is the 1.5 million-member paramilitary force the government regularly deploys to quell protests within its borders. It is under the command of China's central military commission, headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The presence of paramilitary units just miles from the border with Hong Kong comes amid speculation that Chinese forces could enter the city and quash the protests, which are in their third month.

But there has been no indication that the PAP are set to do that, and such an intervention could have devastating effects on the territory's economy.

Satellite images of the sports center, located just across the harbor from Hong Kong, purport to show vehicles gathering at the center. On the ground Wednesday, CNN saw dozens of troop carriers and at least one armored personnel carrier.

A PAP officer told CNN the forces had just arrived for a temporary assignment, staying at the sports stadium where they were filmed by CNN. The officer did not explain why the troops were stationed there.

Under Hong Kong's Basic Law, its mini constitution, the government is legally allowed to request help from the Chinese Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) garrison of more than 6,000 soldiers that is already based in the city.

The Hong Kong government can request assistance to maintain public order and for disaster relief but would have to justify its reasons for needing PLA help.

Johannes Chan, Professor of Law and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong said this option would only be invoked in "extraordinary circumstances that are beyond the ability and control of the Hong Kong government."
"I don't think we have reached that stage yet," he said.

Source: CNN

risingbd/Aug 15, 2019/Mukul