The continuing controversy over the Hong Kong government’s controversial extradition bill has left plans to make it easier for local residents to join the Chinese military and government in limbo, sources with knowledge of Beijing’s policies towards the city said.
“Given the current political situation, discussions like enrolling Hong Kong people into the army and the civil service system are going to be very difficult to carry on at the moment,” an official who is close to Beijing policymakers responsible for Hong Kong’s affairs told the South China Morning Post. Last year, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that it was studying a proposal by political parties in Hong Kong to allow local residents to join the People’s Liberation Army.
