HK police reject Beijing’s claims foreign interference behind protests
Hong Kong’s police force said yesterday that the mass protests that have besieged the city all summer showed no signs of foreign influence or interference, signalling a split between Beijing and the police.
The remarks from the police contradict Beijing’s claims that unidentified foreign forces, deemed ‘‘black hands’’, are fomenting protests in the city that form the most serious political crisis since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
‘‘From the operational angle, I cannot see that at this stage,’’ said a senior police official who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, when asked if there were any signs of foreign funding or organising of the protests.
This was in direct contrast to statements made by the Chinese government yesterday.
‘‘Foreign forces must stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs,’’ Liu Xiaoming, China’s ambassador to the UK, said.
For weeks, Beijing has denounced protesters as pawns of the West and plotting a ‘‘colour revolution’’ with external help – part of its propaganda campaign to discredit the movement while it issues ominous videos showing troops engaging in paramilitary exercises in a neighbouring city.
Satellite photographs show what appear to be armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles belonging to China’s paramilitary, the People’s Armed Police, parked in a sports complex in Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong. It has been interpreted by some as a threat from Beijing to use increased force against protesters. China’s defence ministry has also pointed to a legal provision that would allow Hong Kong-based People’s Liberation Army troops to be deployed for ‘‘public order maintenance’’ at the request of the city government.
The troops, called the Hong Kong Garrison, released a promotional video earlier this month that showed soldiers doing a ‘‘riot drill’’ in which they fired tear gas and water cannons at people who appeared to be protesters.
However, three senior Hong Kong police officers said they weren’t aware of plans for Chinese forces to stop mass demonstrations in the city, and denied rumours that mainland police were already working in the territory.
However, they also said that they weren’t sure if they would be informed ahead of time if mainland platoons were to be deployed in Hong Kong.
Experts say the Chinese government is working to prime public opinion for a potential crackdown, though such a move is still believed to be a last resort.
– Telegraph Group