The mainland’s armed police force is ready to help if Hong Kong police cannot control protesters, according to a signed commentary in the Global Times.
“The armed police force is part of the People’s Republic of China’s armed forces, and comes under the national law. Although the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is protected by the Basic Law, there would not be any legal barriers to let the armed police execute certain tasks in the SAR, if the development [of the protests] worsens,” wrote Wang Qiang, identified as an assistant professor at the Political College of Armed Police Force.
“Without any doubt, the Hong Kong SAR police is a highly efficient law enforcement force. Faced with the mobs’ constant and unrestrained disturbances, it has shown a high level of professional attainments. But if the situation changes, I’m afraid the Hong Kong police will not be able to handle it. At that time, if it gets the assistance from the armed police, the Hong Kong society will get a more reliable protection in restoring stability,” he wrote.
The article, published on its printed version, was put on the nationalist paper’s Chinese website in the early hours of today (Monday), but became inaccessible on its website from about 10am today.
Wang described the Occupy Central movement as a conspiracy by anti-China forces and foreign forces to fight for control of the Hong Kong SAR government. He also said the incident was jeopardizing China’s fundamental interests and it would not be tolerated by any sovereignty.
The newspaper’s Chinese edition also ran an editorial blaming “ultra-opposition” faction in Hong Kong for tarnishing Hong Kong’s image by forcing the Hong Kong police to use tear gas.
It also said US and other foreign media was misleading by comparing last night’s clashes to the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989.
“China is different from 25 years ago, it is not only stronger, but more mature,” the commentary said, adding that it was confident that Hong Kong would not become another Ukraine or Thailand.
The article was also taken off its Chinese website, although an abridged English version remains on its website.