Photos: China army in Hong Kong for first time since pro-democracy protests began

Soldiers from the Hong Kong Garrison of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) -- the world’s largest military -- have been deployed for the first time in more than five months of civil unrest in Hong Kong, creating more controversy. The garrison is usually confined to the barracks under Hong Kong's mini-constitution, although it can be deployed under the request of Hong Kong's government to help with public order breakdown or natural disasters.

Updated on: Nov 17, 2019 5:08 PM IST

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Updated on Nov 17, 2019 5:08 PM

Police spray blue-dyed liquid from an armoured vehicle during a confrontation with protestors at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. A police officer was struck by an arrow fired by a Hong Kong protester on Sunday, as fierce clashes raged around a campus which has turned into a base for a pro-democracy movement switching tactics as it plunges the divided city deeper into turmoil. (Vincent Yu / AP)

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Protesters throw Molotov cocktails at the police who use water canon outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. Protests have tremored through the global financial hub since June with many in the city of 7.5 million people venting fury at eroding freedoms under Chinese rule. China has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate the dissent, and there have been concerns that Beijing could send in troops to put an end to the unrest. (Philip FONG / AFP)

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An anti-government protester uses a bow during clashes with police. The protests which began over a proposed extradition law by the Hong Kong administration sparked fear of extradition of locals to the Chinese mainland for prosecution. It later turned into a major pro-democracy movement with demands to elect their local officials without the Chinese interference. (thit Perawongmetha / REUTERS)

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A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldier uses binoculars by the perimeter fence of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison barracks, located near the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hong Kong did not request assistance from the PLA and the military initiated the operation as a “voluntary community activity”, a spokesman for the city’s government said. (Philip FONG / AFP)

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Protesters use a catapult to fire bricks at the police. “We are not afraid,” said a year-three student Ah Long, who chose not to disclose his full name. “If we don’t persist, we will fail. So why not (go) all in,” he said. (Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

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Protesters take cover under umbrellas as they are sprayed from a water cannon during clashes with police. Clashes between protesters and police have become increasingly violent in the Chinese-ruled city, which is grappling with its biggest political crisis in decades. The demonstrations pose the gravest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. (Adnan Abidi / REUTERS)

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A protestor bangs a metal rod on a street sign during a confrontation at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong. Demosistō, a pro-democracy organisation, said Saturday’s clean-up operation could set a “grave precedent” if the city’s government invites the military to deal with internal problems. (Kin Cheung / AP)