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A10 WORLD NEWS
Saturday 1 July 2017
China flexes military muscle in Hong Kong during Xi’s visit

the Central Military Com- all else fails the PLA will al-
mission, wore a buttoned- ways be the last resort. This,
up black jacket in the I think, would get people
steamy heat during his quite worried,” Lam said.
10-minute review of troops “The implications are quite
at the Shek Kong base in scary.” Xi’s three-day visit
Hong Kong’s suburban to mark the anniversary in-
New Territories. It was part cludes presiding at the in-
of a visit to mark the 20th auguration Saturday of the
anniversary of Hong Kong’s city’s new leader, Carrie
handover, when Britain Lam.
gave up control of the Security has been tight for
Asian financial hub to Chi- his visit as authorities brace
na on July 1, 1997. for protests.
Hong Kong was granted Police arrested 26 people,
the freedom to run most of including young activist
its affairs after it came un- leader Joshua Wong, after
der China’s control under they climbed onto a giant
the “one country, two sys- flower sculpture symbolizing
tems” principle. However, Hong Kong’s “reunification”
Beijing is in charge of the with China on Wednesday.
city’s defense and foreign The department said they
affairs. Troops deployed were later released on bail
Chinese President Xi Jinping inspects Chinese troops of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Hong from the mainland are without charge but are re-
Kong Garrison at the Shek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong, Friday, June 30, 2017. Xi landed in Hong typically confined to bases quired to report back to
Kong Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Beijing taking control of the former British colony, scattered across town and police in September. Some
accompanied by a formidable layer of security as authorities showed little patience for pro-
democracy protests. at headquarters down- were held for more than 30
(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) town. Hong Kongers aren’t hours. Pro-democracy sup-
By KELVIN CHAN Xi rode in an open-top jeep er pieces of military hard- allowed to join up. porters fear Beijing is tight-
Associated Press past rows of soldiers lined ware were arrayed behind Apart from trying to drum ening its grip on Hong Kong
HONG KONG (AP) — Presi- up on an airstrip on his visit the troops. up Chinese national pride, and undermining guaran-
dent Xi Jinping inspected to the People’s Liberation It was a rare display of the the military display also tees of wide autonomy un-
troops based in Hong Kong Army garrison. He called Chinese military’s might in served as a warning to der “one country, two sys-
on Friday as he asserted out “Salute all the com- Hong Kong, where it nor- groups expressing anti-Chi- tems.”
China’s authority over the rades” and “Salute to your mally maintains a low-key na sentiment or pushing for Nathan Law, a former stu-
former British colony, where dedication” as he passed presence. China’s first air- independence, said Willy dent protest leader elect-
anti-China sentiment has 3,100 soldiers arranged in craft carrier, the Liaoning, Lam, a political analyst at ed to Hong Kong’s
been on the rise since Bei- 20 formations.Armored per- is expected to make a port Chinese University of Hong semi-democratic legisla-
jing took control 20 years sonnel carriers, combat ve- call next month. Kong. ture last year, was among
ago. hicles, helicopters and oth- Xi, who’s also chairman of The message is that “when those arrested.q

Pakistan PM condemns US-India ‘silence’ on Kashmir violence

By MUNIR AHMED during a visit to the For- sued by Sharif’s office. atrocities being committed Pakistan and India who
Associated Press eign Ministry in Islamabad, It said Sharif expressed his by the Indian forces against have fought two wars over
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Paki- where officials briefed him satisfaction over Pakistan’s Kashmiris,” the statement control of the region since
stani Prime Minister Nawaz about the recent Gulf Crisis, strategic ties with China, said. It said Sharif asked the 1947.
Sharif on Friday expressed the situation in Afghanistan revival of the strategic ministry to highlight the In- Friday’s briefing for Sharif
his disappointment over where the Taliban have dialogue with the United dian human right violations was held a day after Paki-
what he termed Washing- stepped up attacks against States and Islamabad’s in Kashmir. stan summoned an Indian
ton’s “silence” despite hu- government forces, as well strong relations with Russia. Sharif’s remarks came on diplomat and lodged a
man right violations in the as Pakistan’s relations with He praised China’s recent the heels of Modi’s meet- complaint over Wednes-
disputed Himalayan region the United States, China, efforts aimed at defusing ing with U.S. President Don- day’s shooting in Kashmir.
of Kashmir, where scores of Russia and other countries. tension between Pakistan ald Trump. India accuses Pakistan of
youths have been killed or He was also briefed about and Afghanistan, it said. The two sides later issued backing Kashmiri rebels.
wounded in months-long Indian Prime Minister Na- Sharif expressed his disap- a statement in which they Pakistan denies the charge,
violent clashes with the In- rendra Modi’s visit to the pointment over “the com- made no reference to vio- saying it only provides mor-
dian forces. United States this week, ac- plete silence in the US-In- lence in Kashmir, which is al and political support to
Sharif made his remarks cording to a statement is- dia joint statement on the divided between archrivals Kashmiris. q