In 'clear warning', Chinese paramilitary forces conduct exercise near HK

Hundreds of China's People's Armed Police conducted exercises at a sports stadium in Shenzhen on Thursday, as the US State Department expressed concern that they could be deployed across the border in Hong Kong to break up protests wracking the city.

But Western and Asian diplomats in Hong Kong said Beijing has little appetite for rolling the PAP or the People's Liberation Army onto Hong Kong's streets.

Men in fatigues could be seen in a stadium at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre, and shouts and whistles could be heard by a Reuters journalist on Thursday morning.

Later in the day, police carried out