Editorial | Mainland China guns on target for Hong Kong Police Force
- Ageing US pistols are being replaced by mainland models said to be safer and a better fit for Asian users
Service revolvers have long been standard issue for Hong Kong police officers. The force is one of the world’s oldest law enforcement agencies and has a reputation for being among the most modern. So, it seems appropriate for the force to press ahead with replacing pistols made in the United States with similar weapons from the mainland.
The change will be a lengthy process. Expected to start this month, it could take more than a decade before all weapons needed for the city’s 33,000 police officers are procured and training in their use is complete. The process is not being rushed to ensure safety and proficiency. An insider has told the Post the change was needed because Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolvers were no longer being made by the American company. Spare parts to maintain existing firearms are also dwindling.
It is good to know the force kept an open mind on where to source replacements. Police said suppliers from different countries were considered before two Chinese-made automatic pistol models were selected. Officials have not commented on whether the switch has anything to do with mainland sanctions on US military firms. In May, Beijing took measures against 12 companies involved in the US military-industrial complex and their senior executives.
However, the Post has learned that police have been working for several years to source firearms to replace the revolvers. The force began testing the mainland-made handguns around two years ago.
Such sourcing of increasingly sophisticated Chinese equipment is not new. Police bought three water cannon trucks from mainland suppliers in 2021. It also sourced stab-proof vests from across the border after an officer was attacked on July 1 the same year.
The force said the choice also was related to the revolvers’ safety features, better fit for Asian users and sustainable supply. Tang Che-leung, chief inspector at the weapon training division, said the pistols excelled in performance for safety, speed and stability. The biggest advantage of the new guns was a manual safety catch, which “greatly reduces the risk of unintentional discharging”, he said.