Beijing Strikes Ominous Tone Saying Military Could Intervene In Hong Kong

(Los Angeles Times) Alice Su July 24 2019 10:46 AM BEIJING  The latest protests in Hong Kong appear to have touched a nerve in Beijing where officials and state media have escalated rhetoric against the pro-democracy movement accusing the United States of interference and ominously affirming the Peoples Liberation Armys ability to intervene at the Hong Kong governments request. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said at a news conference Wednesday morning that the protests on Sunday were intolerable." Some radical protesters actions challenge the authority of the central government and the bottom line of One Country Two Systems" Wu said adding that the ministry would follow Article 14 of Hong Kongs Basic Law. One Country Two Systems" is Chinas way of referring to its administration of Hong Kong under which it is part of China but allowed to maintain some degree of autonomy. Article 14 states that the Chinese governments military forces stationed in Hong Kong will not interfere in local affairs unless the Hong Kong government requests assistance in the maintenance of public order" or for disaster relief. As mass protests against a proposed extradition bill morphed into a desperate pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong over the last two months the local government has denied rumors that the Chinese military might intervene. Some analysts who study Hong Kong expressed skepticism that Beijing would send its military which could have devastating consequences.