‘Very minimal effect’ on Hong Kong whether US lawmakers succeed in bid to ban sale of tear gas and anti-riot gear to city, says police association chief
- US congressional representatives announce bill to prohibit American companies selling non-lethal crowd items, such as tear gas, as well as defence articles and services to Hong Kong
- Police sources confident force can find other overseas suppliers, with one saying there is a wide variety to choose from, including some very good ones in mainland China
A proposal by United States lawmakers to halt the sale of riot control equipment to Hong Kong will have only a minimal effect, a representative of the Hong Kong Police Force said on Wednesday.
Other police sources said if the Americans went ahead with the ban, Hong Kong would have no shortage of alternative sources of such equipment – including from manufacturers in Europe, Asia and mainland China.
On Tuesday, US congressional representatives announced a bill to prohibit American companies from selling so-called non-lethal crowd items, such as tear gas, as well as defence articles and services to Hong Kong.
The move came as anti-government protests in the city entered the fourth month, with the police force facing rising criticism for its response, including accusations of brutality towards protesters.
Responding to the US lawmakers’ action, Lam Chi-wai, chairman of the Police Junior Officers’ Association which represents 80 per cent of 31,000-strong force, told the Post: “It only means the Hong Kong police have one fewer option. The effect to us will be very minimal if the bill is passed.”
Lam, who was attached to the North Point district task force, said Hong Kong did not rely on only one source for such equipment.