Concern over whether Beijing would use the army against Hong Kong protesters has been in the air since June. Beijing’s most recent response to a question on the matter is deepening those worries. But an internal source says this rhetoric reflects deeper problems within the Chinese Communist regime.
In reply to a question about Hong Kong at a press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian pointed to” a rule in item 14 of chapter three of the Hong Kong garrison laws.”
The law he refers to allows Beijing’s army to intervene under the request of Hong Kong leadership to maintain public order or to help relieve a natural disaster.
Beijing has around 6,000 soldiers stationed in Hong Kong.
Millions of Hong Kongers have taken to the streets this summer to protest against an extradition bill.
Under the now-suspended bill, anyone in Hong Kong could be sent to mainland China for trial and imprisonment. Residents have been accusing the local government of selling out Hong Kong.
Police have used pepper spray, rubber bullets, and batons against protesters.
Western media has been blaming current Communist Party leader Xi Jinping’s tough rule for the tense situation in the semi-autonomous city.
But a recent Epoch Times article, citing a source inside the Party says Beijing infighting is the real cause of the chaos, and that many officials who represent Beijing may NOT be entirely under Xi’s control.
The source said Xi’s enemies within the Party are trying to take advantage of the Hong Kong movement to corner Xi to make mistakes, put him under international pressure, and eventually take him down.
According to the source, Xi has asked for “no bloodshed, no guns, and no use of the Chinese military in Hong Kong.”
