The White House said it is monitoring a sudden “congregation” of Chinese military at the Hong Kong border following concerns Beijing could step up their hold on demonstrators. A White House official, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was build up of troops as well as armed police from China but did not provide further details, Bloomberg reports. The official’s claims come as Beijing warned the military would be deployed to maintain “public order” in the formerly British-owned territory.
This comes as China projected images of the national flag on buildings in Hong Kong to demand the city be loyal to Beijing.
Protests began two months ago after it emerged a new law was being proposed that would see Hong Kong civilians extradited to mainland China to stand trial in their Communist Party-controlled courts.
The mass opposition has been widely ignored and morphed into a wider movement similar to that of the Yellow Vest revolt in France.
Demonstrators have even been seen waving the Union Jack during marches against the bill.
Protesters have been brutally assaulted with many having been whipped, lashed and bludgeoned by Triad members.
Protests have been marred with violence, the firing of tear gas and alleged attacking of protestors by Triad members and a perceived lack of urgency in response from police authorities.
There have been buildings damaged and transport links disrupted amid chaotic scenes that have brought the metropolitan city to a standstill, which took place yesterday.
Protestors have discussed organising another sit-in demonstration at the arrivals of Hong Kong International, after a Saturday demonstration saw thousands of protestors joined by airport staff.
READ MORE: Hong Kong protestors cause morning rush hour chaos to defy China’s warnings – ‘Evil acts!’
Millions have rallied over the past two months in an unprecedented show of force against Hong Kong leader Ms Lam.
It has resulted in the biggest social turmoil since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Activists, many wearing in black and sporting masks, marched beyond the official finish point of a rally that took place earlier in the day to make their way toward Beijing’s Liaison Office.
One, who asked not to be identified, said: “We are a bit worried about seeing no police here.
“Is it a trap? We won’t try to occupy. Just surround. We will decide later how long to stay.”
Some protesters pelted eggs at the walls of the Liaison Office, while others blocked key roads in scenes reminiscent of democracy protests in 2014 that paralysed parts of the city.
China has condemned the violent protests as an “undisguised challenge” to the one country, two systems formula.