China spotlights military drill amid Hong Kong protestsThe Chinese military has maintained a garrison in Hong Kong since the former British colony was returned to Beijing in 1997BEIJING: An army-linked newspaper in China has run photos of a week-old military drill in Hong Kong, a move analysts described as a warning to Beijing's critics as the city grapples with a wave of anti-government protests. It is to warn the Hong Kong independence elements and to deter foreign interference in Hong Kong affairs," said Ni Lexiong of the Shanghai National Defence Strategy Institute. "If things develop to a more extreme level, and if the Hong Kong government isn't able to cope with the situation, the central government may use troops." China has also lashed out against "foreign interference" in Hong Kong. The Chinese military received official ownership of a piece of prime Hong Kong waterfront land Saturday, which will allow its warships to berth in the city's famed Victoria Harbour in future.

Source: Bangkok Post July 03, 2019 09:51 UTC