More than one quarter of city’s force mobilised on most eventful day of state leader’s visit
UPDATED : Wednesday, 18 May, 2016, 1:17pm
Police and protesters face off at the designated protest area near Central Plaza in Wan Chai. Photo: Felix Wong
About 8,000 officers are being deployed on Wednesday to maintain security during the most eventful day of state leader Zhang Dejiang’s visit, a top police source told the Post.
The massive deployment came after some groups had mobilised people on the internet to storm the Convention and Exhibition Centre. But the source stressed the surge in manpower had nothing to do with the online call to protest.
“We need more officers as the dangers posed to Zhang are at their highest levels today,” the source said. “So many important people are concentrated in one place.”
He added that the decision to deploy more than a quarter of the city’s 28,700-strong force was not driven by the internet mobilisation. “As a rule, staff is needed to handle unforeseeable protests and clashes as we’re now on a counterterrorism operation.”
Protesting at the designated protest area near the Central Plaza in Wan Chai. Photo: David Wong
Around 5,000 officers were to be deployed in Wan Chai today, he said, while another 3,000 were to be positioned in other districts, including the Science Park in the New Territories, where Zhang is scheduled to visit at around 3pm.
It was understood that the force was still evaluating the risk and had not yet decided the New Territories itinerary.
Police standing guard on a footbridge to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Photo: Felix Wong
Even before Zhang’s arrival yesterday, police expected to deploy 6,000 officers daily to protect him.
At the convention centre today, several groups, including the League of Social Democrats, demanded to be let inside to confront the state leader. However, none of them actually entered while Zhang was making his speech.
“The police emphasise that we absolutely do not tolerate any acts of violence and ... behaviour that would disrupt public order,” a spokesman said. “If anyone is in breach of the law, the force will take decisive action.”
Officers following the protesters closely to head off clashes. Photo: David Wong
But police also said that the force respected the right of members of the public to assemble and protest. Their objective was to assist them in doing so while maintaining order at the same time.
The stern warning from the force came as different groups were already protesting before the National People’s Congress Standing Committee chairman was set to arrive at the convention centre.
Dozens joined protests staged by the Civil Human Rights Front near Southorn Playground in Wan Chai today, calling on the state leader to stop meddling in the internal affairs of Hong Kong.
Watch: Dozens protest as Zhang Dejiang visits Hong Kong
The Front also urged Zhang to release all mainland human rights activists and respect freedom of religion in the mainland.
“Stop intervening in Hong Kong affairs, we don’t need ‘One Belt, One Road’,” the crowd chanted as they marched toward the convention centre where Zhang was to deliver a keynote address today.
The marchers arrived at the designated protest zone next to Central Plaza after a standoff with police on the footbridge leading to Immigration Tower.
Representatives from different groups took turns speaking. Southern district councillor Paul Zimmerman expressed his dissatisfaction with Zhang, who he said had failed to make use of his time in the city to listen more to Hongkongers.
Representatives from various groups spoke at the zone near Central Plaza. Photo: Felix Wong
“We need serious work meetings, not a cocktail party,” said Zimmerman, referring to the 40-minute session in which the state leader is to meet four pan-democrats alongside six lawmakers from the pro-Beijing camp.
The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions urged Beijing to release labour activist Zeng Feiyang, who had already been detained for five months.
Meanwhile, a small group of pro-Beijing supporters gathered on the other side of the protest zone, playing patriotic songs.
More than 100 police officers, including those from the Emergency Unit and the Anti Triad Unit, followed the protesters closely to head off clashes.
Democratic Party lawmaker Wu Chi-wai criticised the security arrangement, which he said had only brought nuisance to Hongkongers.
“It is a deliberate attempt by [Chief Executive] Leung Chun-ying to please the central government,” said Wu, adding that Beijing should remove the “incapable” Leungand restart political reform as soon as possible.
Due to the forum at the convention centre, Expo Drive has been shut down until noon tomorrow.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1946643/were-now-counterterrorism-operation-hong-kong-police-deploy
