Exclusive | China scrambles to deliver new Hong Kong strategy –but military response not an option

Mainland Chinese officials in charge of Hong Kong affairs are working on a comprehensive strategy to solve the city’s political crisis that will be presented to the top leadership for deliberation soon, according to people familiar with the discussion, but resorting to military force is not on the table.

Officials are developing both an immediate strategy to handle the increasingly violent weeks-long protests in the city, as well as a long-term plan that may lead to an overhaul of Beijing’s approach to managing the restless former British colony.

As a measure of the seriousness of the discussions, up for immediate consideration is a risk assessment of whether Chinese President Xi Jinping should visit Macau for the 20th anniversary celebrations of its reunification with the mainland later this year.

Sources say at this stage Beijing still believes the crisis is best left for the Hong Kong government to handle and it should not get directly involved. The principles of avoiding bloodshed and keeping the city “largely stable” remain unchanged.

Despite speculation to the contrary, they are firm about not considering the use of the People’s Liberation Army as an option. Sources say Beijing regards Hong Kong’s embattled police force as a critical factor in maintaining stability.

While the restraint on the use of force by police has prevented tensions from escalating, it has also had an impact on officers’ morale. The key now, they say, is to strike a balance.