Mainland Chinese Soldiers Take to Hong Kong Streets for First Time During Protests - Alex Eberhardt

Mainland Chinese Soldiers Take to Hong Kong Streets for First Time During Protests

WSJ

by John Lyons, Steven Russolillo and Eun-Young Jeong

Link: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mainland-chinese-soldiers-take-to-hong-kong-streets-for-first-time-since-protests-began-11573907250

In HongKong, after several roadblocks were put in place by protesters as part of their demonstration, Chinese mainland PLA soldiers came out of their barracks to assist with clean up of the roadblock and the mess caused by the rioting in general. This was seen as important as the barracks of mainland troops very rarely leave their barracks. The troops were not in any combat gear and were merely assisting with the cleanup, however many saw it as a signal of what may come from the mainland.

The agreement between HK and the mainland in regards to what PLA troops do is that HK can ask Beijing for assistance if needed. During the typhoons that damage the country, HK asked the mainland for troops to assist with clean up. HK did not ask the troops for assistance during the clean up for the riots. People are fearful that this is a message that says that China is willing to use military force to keep control of HK.

Despite the original goal of the protesters being met, that beings the extradition bill that was revoked, protests have still gone on. The pro-democracy protesters have continued to block streets and riot. The protests have led to large scale riots and conflicts that have been mostly non-lethal but definitely still very dangerous. Police have fired a few shots but have mostly stuck to non-lethal tactics. Pro-Democracy protesters have been quite lethal in an attempt by throwing bricks and Molotov cocktails at police regularly.

Looking at videos of the protests, you are seeing more and more pro-democracy protesters dressed up in military gear such as ballistic helmets and vests. Police have been in riot gear pretty much constantly for 5 months. This is starting to look more and more like a civil war rather than protests. The mainland has several armed troops stationed at the border between HK and the mainland. I think for now there is not too much to worry about, but it's been a long time and protests have only been getting worse. Hopefully, this all gets resolved but it seems that there are two forces going against one another that are unwilling to back down. Beijing doesn't have much intention to allow HK to stay democratic for much longer, while the protesters don't seem to have much intention to allow Beijing to do so. Regardless of who is right, when you have two sides that won't back down, the only option left is the use of force.

by Alex Eberhardt