Flying Tigers check Victoria Harbour for explosives ahead of Zhang Dejiang’s visit

Hong Kong police made a last-ditch security sweep in Wan Chai on Tuesday morning in preparation for state leader Zhang Dejiang’s visit, diving into Victoria Harbour to ensure that no explosives were planted at the waterfront area. The force put in place counterterrorism measures to ensure the safety of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee chairman, set to mobilise 6,000 officers each day of the state leader’s three-day visit. On Tuesday morning, government workers scrambled to fill up the dozens of water barriers outside the Grand Hyatt hotel, where Zhang will be staying, and the nearby Convention and Exhibition Centre. ‘Souvenir for Zhang Dejiang’: big yellow pro-democracy banner atop Beacon Hill despite police monitoring Tensions ran high with scores of officers patrolling the vicinity, laying down a security blanket in preparation for Zhang’s visit. It was understood that divers from the force’s elite Special Duties Unit, also known as the Flying Tigers, dived into Victoria Harbour to carry out their final underwater search off the exhibition centre to ensure that no explosives were planted at the waterfront area. At least four police launches are to be stationed off Wan Chai round the clock during Zhang’s stay at the Grand Hyatt. The Transport Department warned that traffic in the vicinity would become “very congested” due to road closures and traffic re-routing. From 7am to noon on Tuesday, Harbour Road between Fenwick Pier Street and Fleming Road are to be re-routed one way eastbound and one way westbound, subject to intermittent closure. Parking on Jaffe Road between Fleming Road and Stewart Road, Expo Drive East and Lung King Street are to be suspended. Bus stops and taxi stands at Harbour Road between Fenwick Pier Street and Tonnochy Road are to be suspended On Wednesday, Expo Drive, Expo Drive Central and Expo Drive East is to be closed. Maximum security: elite police teams inspect Wan Chai neighbourhood ahead of Zhang Dejiang’s visit Before Zhang’s arrival mid-day Tuesday, hundreds of officers including those from the Emergency Unit and Police Tactical Unit were seen patrolling in Wan Chai at 10am. They were mainly concentrated around the Grand Hyatt, convention centre and demonstration zones. More than a dozen police vehicles were stationed along Harbour Road, while a command vehicle was positioned in a protest area next to Central Plaza. Waiting was prohibited on area footbridges, and an exit to Wanchai Tower was closed. Restaurants and shops inside the exhibition centre are to be closed for one day tomorrow, according to an employee at one shop. “We were told there will be a major public event so we’re shutting down for a day,” he said. But he declined to state whether the shops would be compensated for their lost day of business. It was understood that police commissioner Stephen Lo Wai-chung, his deputies and operation directors were to supervise the command centre at their Wan Chai headquarters. At the Grand Hyatt on Tuesday morning, the hotel entrance was blocked to all visitors. A large X-ray machine was place outside its main entrance with red carpet laid out inside the lobby. The Post attempted to book rooms at the hotel during Zhang’s stay, but management advised all rooms and restaurants were fully occupied on May 17 and 18. High anxiety? Police camp atop Lion Rock before Zhang Dejiang visit to Hong Kong The hotel explained that because it was hosting “more than 10 conferences” during this time no additional guests could be accommodated. At Hong Kong International Airport, police began their preparations on Monday night, with red carpets readied at the ramp and a wooden rostrum set up for Zhang to address the media. Apart from Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah and Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, were expected to greet Zhang at the airport, according to a high-level official finalising the preparations. “There won’t be children waving the national flag this time,” he said. Dozens of reporters were shipped to the ramp two hours before Zhang’s arrival. Five key questions about senior Chinese official Zhang Dejiang and his Hong Kong visit The state leader is expected to meet top government officials on Tuesday afternoon before having dinner with the chief executive at Government House in the evening. On Wednesday, Zhang is to attend a “One Belt One Road” forum and meet the Executive Council as well as Legislative Council members, including four pan-democratic lawmakers, at a cocktail reception for 40 minutes before he attends a banquet at the convention centre.

Flying Tigers check Victoria Harbour for explosives ahead of Zhang Dejiang’s visit

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Police mobilise 6,000 officers per day to ensure safety of National People’s Congress Standing Committee chairman

Police mobilise 6,000 officers per day to ensure safety of National People’s Congress Standing Committee chairman