While done in a politically astute way, make no mistake, this is a major escalation. Apart from some yelling and warning flags from the Kowloon East barracks (the same garrison now out on street cleaning duty), the PLA stationed in Hong Kong have kept a very low profile to date.
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For those not aware, the PLA maintains a standing armed force in Hong Kong, a continuation of British practice. They are not present in large enough numbers to pose a threat on their own, but their presence on the streets of Hong Kong will inflame a bad situation
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Note that the Kowloon East PLA garrison is next to Hong Kong Baptist University, which has been a flash point in the past few days. The main Hong Kong PLA garrison is immediately adjacent to the Legislative Council (thanks, Britain), also a site of frequent protests.pic.twitter.com/9EKd5pRIxG
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If there's one thing we know about the People's Liberation Army, it's that they're a spontaneous, bottom-up organization that often ventures out on politically sensitive field trips on the whim of a few soldiers.pic.twitter.com/2H2YRZCJ1w
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