China appoints former paramilitary chief as new Hong Kong garrison commander

China has appointed a former paramilitary chief, Peng Jingtang, as the brand new commander of the People Liberation Army’s (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong, state broadcaster CCTV reported late on Sunday citing the PLA’s spokesman.
Peng, who holds the rank of main common, was beforehand the deputy chief of workers of China’s paramilitary police pressure, the People’s Armed Police. His appointment was signed into order by Chinese President Xi Jinping, CCTV stated.

According to the Global Times, a nationalist tabloid printed by the official People’s Daily, Peng was beforehand additionally chief of workers of the Armed Police Force in Xinjiang, the place Washington says Beijing is committing genocide in opposition to Uyghurs and different Muslim teams. China denies abuses in Xinjiang.

The PLA maintains a garrison in Hong Kong, however its actions are largely low-profile. Under the worldwide monetary hub’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, defence and international affairs are managed by Communist Party leaders in Beijing.
CCTV additionally quoted Peng as saying that he would in his new appointment work with all members of the garrison to observe the command of the ruling Communist Party and Xi, and resolutely defend nationwide sovereignty and safety pursuits.
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that wide-ranging particular person rights can be protected.
But pro-democracy activists and rights teams say freedoms have been eroded, specifically since China imposed a brand new nationwide safety regulation after months of at occasions violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.Hong Kong and Chinese authorities deny curbing freedoms and say the regulation was mandatory to revive order after extended unrest.