Ahead of Hong Kong Security Law Vote... Xi Jinping Orders Military to Strengthen Combat Readiness

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Ahead of the draft vote on the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law) scheduled for the 28th, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the determination to safeguard sovereignty and ordered the military to strengthen combat readiness.

On the 27th, the Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, prominently covered on its front page President Xi's attendance at the plenary meeting of representatives from the Chinese military and armed police forces held the previous day. At this meeting, which saw the full attendance of the Chinese military leadership, President Xi emphasized the military's COVID-19 prevention duties and instructed to enhance training and war preparedness to protect sovereignty.

He stated, "COVID-19 has deeply impacted China's security and development. We must comprehensively strengthen the military's combat readiness to effectively handle various complex situations. We must firmly safeguard the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests and maintain the overall stability of the national strategy." He continued, "Within the normalized epidemic prevention system, study training and war preparedness methods and flexibly conduct realistic military exercises to enhance military capability."

President Xi's instructions came amid ongoing U.S. attacks related to China's planned vote on the Hong Kong Security Law on the 28th and the intensifying spread of protests within Hong Kong. By highlighting the military's role, it is interpreted as signaling China's willingness to strongly respond by mobilizing military power on sensitive issues related to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and others.

Chen Daoxiang, Commander of the Hong Kong Garrison, stated in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) the previous day, "The Hong Kong Garrison is an important force in safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and firmly supports the Hong Kong Security Law. We will resolutely implement the central government's decisions and plans and thoroughly realize the policy of 'one country, two systems.'" Foreign media interpreted this as the 10,000-strong People's Liberation Army troops stationed in Hong Kong being ready to defend sovereignty and assessed that China may use force against Hong Kong protesters opposing the enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law if necessary.