You don't need sophisticated armies of Twitter bots. This is a disinformation campaign in plain sight, using vehicles. It's fine to report on it, but include the context of why China is flexing rather than pouring over the border, which it can't do for lots of interesting reasons
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Hong Kong is China's Mt. Gox - the place where they can connect their idiosyncratic money to the real global financial system. That connection depends on global finance not fleeing Hong Kong, which they will do (right behind yours truly) the minute a military invasion begins.
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That doesn't mean military invasion is impossible. People and countries can act irrationally, or against their interests. But it's not plan B in the escalatory pathway, either, and it certainly doesn't start with a very public display of vehicle parking.
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The battleground in Hong Kong is the sympathies of the broad population. So far they have supported the protests. If they can be convinced that the protests impose too great a cost, or are descending into chaos, then that could change. Saber-rattling is a tactic in that battle.
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I get that talking about Hong Kong being foredoomed is part of the sophisticated discourse, but it cedes a lot of ground. The Hong Kong protesters are fighting for five specific demands that are compatible with Chinese interests, not trying to go down in a blaze of glory.
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if those trucks were full of people there'd be an encampment set up
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Also, there is a suggestion that they are there to rehearse the national day (October 1st) celebration. Great bait and switch.
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