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China sends a message to HK, Taiwan

A Chinese guided-missile destroyer docks at the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base in Hong Kong yesterday. China will expand the membership of the military's top decision-making body to ''suit the needs of modern warfare'' if Taiwan declares independence. A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task group visited Hong Kong for a six day stop over. The group includes two guided-missile destroyers, four guided missile frigates and two submarines, which comprise China's biggest show of military force in the territory since its 1997 handover from Britain. PHOTO: REUTERS

China's navy sailed eight warships into Hong Kong yesterday in its biggest show of military force since the former colony's 1997 handover from Britain.

The port call is meant to boost patriotism in Hong Kong, but analysts also said China was flexing its naval muscles to send Taiwan a message discouraging any thoughts on independence.

A vice admiral did not directly address that issue when asked by reporters.

"We are always on call," said Yao Xingyuan (么興遠), commander of the battle group. "If necessary, we have the ability to preserve the stability of the Taiwanese political situation."

Yao said the two destroyers, four frigates and two submarines are in Hong Kong until this Wednesday to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the PLA's navy.

Yao said the ships will sail through Victoria Harbor when they depart, giving the territory a good look at them, but he wouldn't say where they were heading next.

The port call comes at time when many Hong Kongers are angered by Beijing's decision to rule out full democracy here in the near future.

About 100 Hong Kong residents visited one ship yesterday morning, waving Chinese and Hong Kong flags as bands played patriotic music.

"As a Hong Konger, as a Chinese, I want to welcome my own navy," said Man Yu-ming, a 45-year-old insurance agent.

"I want to check out the equipment on the ships," said Elaine Ng, who is 50 and unemployed.

The visit was an apparent message to Taiwan, said political expert Ding Xueliang (丁學良) of the University of Science and Technology.

But Ding expressed doubts that a show of force by China would prompt any changes in Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) thinking.

Defense analysts said any Chinese naval attack on Taiwan would be unlikely to succeed.

China would have difficulty providing enough cover to troops to make an amphibious landing, said Robert Karniol, Asia-Pacific editor of Jane's Defense Weekly, in a telephone interview from Bangkok.

Political scientist Joseph Cheng (鄭宇碩) at City University of Hong Kong said the port call was also designed to boost Hong Kong's lukewarm nationalism. Most of the territory's 6.8 million people are ethnic Chinese, but many have misgivings about China's authoritarian government.

The visit comes as many Hong Kong people demand the right to directly elect their leader in 2007 and all lawmakers in 2008. Many of these had their hopes shattered on Monday when Beijing ruled out such reforms.

The eight warships are the biggest group China has sent here since the 1997 handover. Two warships visited during a port call in 2001.

A PLA spokesman said the vessels are a battle group en route to a training exercise at an undisclosed location. Sailors will be allowed to tour Hong Kong in civilian clothing.

The PLA has stationed troops here since the 1997 handover, but they generally keep a low profile and stay inside their barracks to avoid alarming Hong Kong citizens.
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