Hong Kong denies mainland role in Singapore shipment probe

The Singapore-made Terrex infantry carrier vehicles were seized at a container terminal in Hong Kong, in November

Hong Kong’s customs chief yesterday denied suggestions that Beijing was involved in the investigation into nine armored personnel carriers belonging to Singapore that were seized in the Chinese-controlled territory.

Commissioner Roy Tang said his department was acting only under Hong Kong law when it impounded the nine SAF Terrex infantry carriers and other equipment.

He spoke a day after the Hong Kong government said the vehicles would be returned to Singapore following an investigation into a suspected violation of rules governing the shipment of “strategic commodities.” The vehicles were being shipped back home via Hong Kong after military training exercises in Taiwan when they were seized in November.

Analysts have speculated that the seizure signaled Beijing’s displeasure over Singapore’s position on China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Singapore is not a claimant but has irritated China by advocating that countries making claims on the strategic waterway abide by international rules.

Experts say the dispute could also indicate China’s unhappiness with Singapore’s longstanding practice of holding military training with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a part of China.

“Hong Kong customs is only authorized to enforce the Hong Kong law. We have no role to play in any enforcement or work other than laws applicable to Hong Kong, so there’s no such implication,” Tang said when asked whether Beijing had any role in the seizure. “We are a Hong Kong law enforcement agency,” he added, making the points repeatedly during a news briefing.

Nine armored personnel carriers belonging to Singapore that were seized in the Chinese territory of Hong Kong will be returned, officials said this week.

The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received a letter from Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying saying that Hong Kong had completed an investigation of the SAF Terrex infantry carrier vehicles and other equipment and would release them to the Singapore government.

“This is a positive outcome,” the ministry said in a statement. Lee expressed gratitude for “Hong Kong’s cooperation in resolving this matter,” it said. MDT/AP