CHINA-HONGKONG: CHINA SENDS PEOPLE'S ARMED POLICE (PAP) OFFICERS TO HONGKONG
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Reuters quoted (March 18) senior foreign diplomats as saying that officers from China’s People’s Armed Police (PAP) had joined Hong Kong police on the frontlines to observe anti-government protests that peaked last year. They said Hong Kong police took PAP officers to monitor the protesters and their tactics as part of a wider effort by the paramilitary force to deepen its understanding of the Hong Kong situation. Veteran democratic legislator James To said "I’m aware that Hong Kong police officers have taken Chinese security forces to the front during protests, apparently in an observation role” adding he had reason to believe the Chinese forces included members of locally-based PAP units. They estimated that China’s government had ramped up the People’s Armed Police (PAP) presence in Hong Kong to as many as 4,000 personnel.
(Comment: The State Council Information Office and the Central Government’s Hong Kong Liaison Office did not respond to Reuters’ questions. Reuters said Beijing and local Hong Kong authorities have been relatively open about the low-key role of the PLA in the city, but they have never confirmed the presence of the PAP.)
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