Return our army vehicles, Singapore tells Hong Kong

‘The troop carriers are protected by sovereign immunity’ SINGAPORE // Singapore yesterday demanded the immediate return of nine armoured troop carriers impounded by Hong Kong while in transit from Taiwan, calling the seizure illegal under international law.

The seizure of the Terrex vehicles by Hong Kong customs last November has triggered a row that involves China, which has sovereignty over Hong Kong and considers Taiwan a renegade island awaiting reunification. The vehicles were being shipped home from military exercises in Taiwan, where Singa- pore has for decades trained its troops because of a lack of space at home.

After their seizure, China lodged a diplomatic protest with Singapore over its military cooperation with Taiwan.

Ng Eng Hen, Singapore’s defence minister, said the city state had told the Hong Kong government that the vehicles and other equipment “belong to the government of Singapore and are therefore immune from any measures of constraint”.

Speaking in parliament, he said: “Accordingly, we have requested the Hong Kong authorities to return our property immediately.”

The vehicles were protected by sovereign immunity even though they were shipped by commercial carriers, said Mr Ng.

“They cannot legally be de- tained or confiscated by other countries,” he said.

Mr Ng said prime minister Lee Hsien Loong had written to CY Leung, Hong Kong’s chief executive, about the issue, and Hong Kong authorities had replied that the investigation would take time.

Hong Kong seized 12 containers, saying they carried “suspected controlled items”.

The Singapore military has reviewed its shipping procedures to ensure that its equipment will not be “taken hostage en route” in the future, said Mr Ng.

Singapore’s demand for the vehicles’ return drew a rebuke from Beijing, with the Chinese foreign ministry urging Singapore to “abide by the one China policy”.