Chinese to Retain Troops Near Beijing for ‘Public Security’
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BEIJING — China’s army will maintain a strong presence “to safeguard public security” in the Beijing area following the lifting of martial law, the government’s top spokesman said today.
Up to 1,000 troops marched across Tian An Men Square this morning, hours after seven months of martial law officially ended in the capital.
“I thought martial law was over,” said one of the several thousand people on the 100-acre square as he watched the military procession.
The government spokesman, Yuan Mu, told a news conference that the military presence is necessary to “safeguard public security and the peaceful work of the people.”
He said martial was ended because “the task of martial law has been victoriously completed.”
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