China's PLA soldiers help clean up Hong Kong streets

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers in shorts and t-shirts made a surprising appearance in some Hong Kong streets on Saturday (November 16).

briefly helping residents clean up debris and barricades after anti-government protests blocked roads.

Chinese troops have appeared on Hong Kong's streets only once since it returned to Chinese rule in 1997 - that was to help with cleanup operations after a typhoon in late 2018.

Their presence at the weekend could enrage protesters and stoke further controversy over the territory's autonomous status.

The former British colony has been rocked by more than five months of pro-democracy demonstrations...with protesters calling for an independent investigation into perceived police brutality as clashes between protesters and police became increasingly violent.

Anti-China students and activists have barricaded at least five campuses in the last week, stockpiling petrol bombs, catapults, bows and arrows and other weapons.

China denies interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.

China has also warned that any attempt at independence for Hong Kong will be crushed -- but the military have always remained inside their base.

In August, Beijing moved thousands of troops across the border.

Up to 12,000 are now believed to be based across Hong Kong.