Thousands of Chinese paramilitary has been undertaking military exercises on Thursday as the political crisis is reaching boiling point.
There is speculation that the paramilitary units are preparing to the enter Hong Kong and put an end to the protests that have been going on for three months.
We can confirm the presence of a large number of Chinese paramilitary troops stationed at a sports complex in Shenzhen, just miles from the border with Hong Kong. Some seen here carrying shields and helmets. An officer wouldn’t tell us why they were there and forced us to leave. pic.twitter.com/cUzRLdiqb5
— Matt Rivers (@MattRiversCNN) August 14, 2019
Reuters news agency and AFP have reported that thousands of China’s People Armed Police (PAP) have been conducting exercises and preparing at Shenzhen sport stadium, on Thursday.
AFPTV EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: @AFP has captured images of thousands of Chinese military personnel parading at a sports stadium across the border from Hong Kong pic.twitter.com/0xlNUZqZdq
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 15, 2019
It has been reported that hundreds of paramilitary trucks, armoured personnel carriers including jeeps have filled the stadium.
Satellite image of troops at Shenzhen sport stadium
The PAP is headed up by Chinese president Xi Jinping and has around 1.5m members. Deploying close to the border at Hong Kong is sending a clear message to the protestors in the financial hub, observers said.
#UPDATE Thousands of Chinese military personnel seen parading at a sports stadium across the border from Hong Kong.
Some of those inside were wearing armed police insignias, while outside there were dozens of trucks and armoured personnel carriers https://t.co/gavp3noysa pic.twitter.com/PCwLn9JugZ
— AFP news agency (@AFP) August 15, 2019
Experts believe that if the troops enter Hong Kong this will have disastrous effects for the city and may affect the financial hubs status.
This could lead to a mass exodus of people, potentially triggering an international response from various governments such as the US when China is already vulnerable economically due to the trade war.
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