The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said yesterday that its forces stationed in Hong Kong can be deployed to maintain public order in the city – a move branded by analysts as a clear warning to protesters who are seen by Beijing as becoming increasingly provocative.

Mr James Char, a Chinese military expert at Nanyang Technological University, said Beijing is aware that sending in military forces unnecessarily “can only intensify popular grievance”.

“The situation in Hong Kong has grown worse over the past few weeks, but has not spun out of control. As long as the Hong Kong police are able to maintain law and order, the PLA will not be activated in Hong Kong any time soon.”