Eight Chinese warships cruised into Hong Kong harbour yesterday in the greatest show of naval might in the territory since it was transferred from British rule in 1997. The display of force was aimed at two targets. It was intended to generate patriotism in Hong Kong, where many hold mixed feelings about the Chinese military, and to warn Taiwan that Beijing is prepared to go to war rather than accept the island's independence. Led by the missile destroyer Shenzhen, one of the most sophisticated vessels in the Chinese navy, the flotilla comprised four guided-missile frigates, two submarines and another destroyer. They docked in a trading port more used to container ships.
| Not a bad little flotilla, but can they fight? |
The commander of the battle group said the warships were on permanent standby to deal with a crisis across the Taiwan Strait. "We, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, are ready at any time to obey our motherland's orders," said Vice Admiral Yao Xingyuan. "If necessary, we have the ability to preserve the stability of the Taiwanese political situation."
| Yeah, yeah, thanks, we gave at the office. |
The port call appears part of a concerted military and political effort by the Chinese government to remind Hong Kong of its loyalties and obligations to the mainland. But it is far from certain that the arrival of the battle group will boost nationalist sentiment. Since the PLA fired on civilians during the 1989 pro-democracy protests in Beijing, the national army has stirred mixed feelings in Hong Kong.
| Only amongst those who don't like being shot. |
The territory's unpopular chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, gave an enthusiastic welcome to the warships yesterday. "The PLA has made great contributions to Hong Kong's long-term subservience prosperity and stability," he said. Political analysts saw the high-profile port call as part of a process of harmonising relations with the mainland. "I wouldn't say this was a threatening gesture," said Christine Loh of the independent public-policy thinktank Civic Exchange. "Despite the inglorious incidents in its past, the PLA is now accepted by people in Hong Kong as the national military. There must be a touch of normality in the way we interact with it."
| "They tell us what to do, we do it. Normal, see?" |
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