Photos: Chinese Troops Conduct Target Practice in Hong Kong Days After New Security Law Implemented

A video posted on the social media account for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong shows troops in target practice just a few days after Beijing implemented a new nationwide security law that included Hong Kong, sparking renewed protests.

On Monday, the “Forces in Hong Kong” page on Sina Weibo, operated by the PLA force stationed in the semi-autonomous city, posted a new video detailing its recent training in weapons use amid heavy rain.

Here is a link to the video.

A Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldier from the Hong Kong garrison practices throwing a hand grenade during drills in a video posted on Sina Weibo

“Recently, a certain base organization of the Hong Kong Forces has conducted multi-course coherent training,” the Weibo post reads, according to Google Translate. “The training adopts the method of ‘emergency pulling, random guidance, and actual investment’ in severe weather, focusing on emergency response, rapid dispatch and dynamic inspection of the inspection agencies and units. Ability to communicate, use weapons, etc.”

Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldiers from the Hong Kong garrison engage in target practice during drills in a video posted on Sina Weibo

However, ever since last year’s violent protests originating over the city’s proposed extradition law, the PLA garrison has not become involved in the protests, save for one incident in November 2019 in which a few dozen volunteers engaged in “public community work,” clearing a street of bricks and protester barricades in plain clothes before returning to their barracks. Otherwise, the protests have been handled entirely by Hong Kong police, since the 1997 Basic Law passed after the United Kingdom returned Hong Kong to China stipulated the garrison can only engage in defensive actions.

Almost immediately after the national security law took effect, the dissident Demosisto group disbanded itself. Headed by protesters Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Jeffrey Ngo and Agnes Chow, the group was widely believed to be sustained by financial support from the United States, which Wong was widely known for courting in high-profile visits. The security law forbids such financial transactions between Hong Kong and foreign organizations.

Sourse: sputniknews.com