Hong Kong-based PLA troops invite media to live-fire exercise days after passage of national security law
Guests say PLA live-fire drill had nothing to do with national security law
The Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army staged a full-scale military exercise yesterday and for the first time allowed the media to witness the firepower at their disposal.
The PLA said the high-profile live-fire drill in Tuen Mun simulated an attack on "militants'' hiding out in the Castle Peak as they prepared to cause "destruction" to the city.
The 45-minute drill took place three days after China's legislature passed a sweeping and controversial national security law that has stoked fears of greater limits on citizens' freedoms.
While guests at the drill insisted that the timing of the exercise was unimportant, and that the PLA was merely trying to show Hong Kong that it had the power to protect the city, a noted China watcher suggested otherwise.
"It took place soon after the national security law was passed on July 1. The passage has already shown that [Beijing] is keeping a close watch of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan," said commentator Johnny Lau Yui-siu.
"[The drill] is not just about deterring pro-independence ideology, it is also a show of strength to foreign forces that Beijing accuses of meddling in Hong Kong's affairs."
During the drill at the Castle Peak Firing Range, six military helicopters were mobilised fired on targets set up on the mountain from distances of about 1km.
Hundreds of guests looked on as the sounds of bombs and bullets pierced the usual silence of Castle Peak.
Several armoured amphibious vehicles rolled in, firing on the targets with precision. Dozens of soldiers armed with automatic rifles later appeared, taking control of the mountains.
Mortars, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, automatic grenade launchers and heavy machine guns were used.
The exercise was an attempt to raise the combat readiness and "spirit" of the Hong Kong-based troops, and to show the garrison's strength, the PLA said.
Among those who attended the drill were liaison office director Zhang Xiaoming Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok, University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor Peter Mathieson, and some lawmakers including Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.
"I don't think we need to read too much into the timing. I think the garrison has a duty to assure us that they are well-prepared and ready to defend Hong Kong if there is any threat to our security," said Ip, formerly the city's security chief.
Military commentator Ma Ding-shing, who also attended the drill, added: "Let's not over-speculate. It is not the first time [a drill has taken place] and it certain won't be the last."
Under the new security law, military and other forces will be mobilised to resist invasions and stop "armed subversion and separatism", as well as to protect "military action that safeguards the nation's overseas interests".
It also says that the people of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are obliged to defend China's sovereignty.
