Chinese military can be deployed at Hong Kong’s request to contain protests, Beijing says
- Radical protesters are challenging mainland government’s authority and principle of ‘one country, two systems’, defence spokesman says
- Garrison Law gives Hong Kong option of asking for PLA’s help to maintain public order
Reaction to the remarks by defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian has been mixed. Critics and a business representative said it was a red line warning, but officials from the city government and a military analyst said it did not mean plans were afoot to mobilise troops.
“We are closely following the developments in Hong Kong, especially the violent attack against the central government liaison office by radicals on July 21,” Wu said at a briefing on Wednesday to introduce China’s new defence white paper.
“Some behaviour of the radical protesters is challenging the authority of the central government and the bottom line of one country, two systems. This is intolerable.”
Asked how the defence ministry would handle events in Hong Kong and independence forces, Wu said only that “Article 14 of the Garrison Law has clear stipulations”, without elaborating.