Political move or defensive measure? PLA set to base surface-to-air missiles in Hong Kong

Experts have weighed in on a report that the People's Liberation Army will set up a land-to-air missile base at Hong Kong's Shek Kong military airfield, suggesting the move was motivated not by local political concerns but rather an overdue strengthening of the city's defensive capabilities.

The latest Chinese-language edition of the Canada-based Kanwa Defence Review said the PLA would deploy a Hongqi-6 missile battalion at the base in the New Territories later this year.

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The HQ-6 system usually consists of six flatbed trucks with missiles housed on their backs, supported by smaller artillery units. The missiles have a range of 18km and are used to destroy low- to medium-flying air threats. The magazine based its claim on Google satellite images of the base, which showed landscaping work in line with preparatory work for such a system.

Macau-based military observer Antony Wong Dong said satellite pictures he saw proved the missiles would be deployed in Shek Kong, and such a deployment in Hong Kong was unprecedented. But he did not believe there was a political motive.

"Hong Kong has long been too weak in its anti-aircraft capabilities," said Wong, adding the capacity was almost non-existent in the city and would still be "limited" after the deployment.