U.S. ‘deeply concerned by reports of China paramilitary movement near Hong Kong

David Brunnstrom |

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is “deeply concerned” about Chinese paramilitary movement along the Hong Kong border, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said on Wednesday, while warning that continued erosion of the territory’s autonomy put at risk the preferential status it enjoys under U.S. law.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump cited U.S. intelligence as saying that China’s government was moving troops to its border with Hong Kong, and urged calm as clashes continued between protesters and authorities in the former British colony.

The State Department official referred to “Chinese paramilitary movement along the Hong Kong border” but gave no details.

It was not clear on Tuesday if Trump was referring to new activity or that previously referred to in media reports. China’s state-run Global Times reported this week that Chinese police had assembled in Hong Kong’s neighbouring city of Shenzhen for what appeared to be exercises.

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