Maximum security: elite police teams inspect Wan Chai neighbourhood ahead of Zhang Dejiang’s visit
Officers check rooftops, traffic lights, drains and venue interiors around Grand Hyatt and Convention and Exhibition Centre for weapons and explosives
Hong Kong police conducted a thorough search in Wan Chai overnight to secure the area ahead of state leader Zhang Dejiang’ arrival.
Late Sunday night, more than a hundred officers from the force’s elite search unit started an inspection around the neighbourhood of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and the Convention and Exhibition Centre – the major activities area for the National People’s Congress Standing Committee chairman’s three-day visit.
Multiple search teams examined the rooftops, traffic lights, venue interiors and even the drains along the road sides with metal detectors for possible weapons and explosive chemicals.
Elite officers sporting masks and breathing equipment also conducted a detailed search inside manholes.
All items were sealed after undergoing security check.
A similar hunt was also done underwater by “frogmen” from the force. The search will continue throughout Monday.
Meanwhile, the authorities started placing mills barriers and water barriers around the neighbourhood to cordon off restricted zones.
Police deputy commissioner (operations) Tony Wong Chi-hung stressed on Monday that the threat level in Hong Kong remained at “moderate”, but refused to confirm if the risk level for Zhang’s visit had been raised to the maximum.
Wong said the force had taken into consideration all factors, including intelligence and situations elsewhere and within China.
“We came up with appropriate assessments and then deployed suitable countermeasures,” he said.
“When Zhang is in Wan Chai, the risk [level] of that area will be raised to the maximum because Zhang will be the target of [any] attack,” the source told the Post.
“If Zhang leaves Wan Chai for the airport, the risk will move along to the island. The risk will be totally removed after Zhang leaves the city.”
Zhang will visit a public housing estate in Kowloon East during his stay.
It is understood that a newly established public housing estate in Kwun Tong district is one of the possibilities.
Liberal party lawmaker Felix Chung Kwok-pan was in favour of comprehensive security measures.
“Have the police received any intelligence on terrorist attacks and therefore raised the level to anti-terrorism?” asked Chung, who is also the deputy chairman of the Legislative Council’s security panel.
“[Just because no terrorist attack] has happened in Hong Kong doesn’t mean there isn’t any risk,” he added.
Labour Party lawmaker Cyd Ho Sau-lan said it was “understandable” for careful measures to be adopted for visits from state leaders and foreign guests, but she did not think there was a threat of local terrorism originating within the city.
Ho said she would raise three points to Zhang when attending the cocktail reception with other pan-democrats and Executive Council members prior to the government-arranged banquet for the state leader.
I hope the current chief executive won’t stay for the next term ... we also want a fair and democratic election system that is accepted by Hongkongers.
“I hope the current chief executive won’t stay for the next term ... we also want a fair and democratic election system that is accepted by Hongkongers,” said Ho, who added that she would ask the Chinese government to give Hong Kong authority to approve one-way permits for mainlanders wishing to settle in the city.
Chung, who will also attend the cocktail, said his party has not confirmed what to tell Zhang at the reception, but they intend to submit a letter to him with comments on Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
The state leader is expected to land at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday. He will stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Wan Chai and deliver a keynote speech at the Belt and Road Summit on China’s trade strategy, to be held at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.
