Looks like mainland cops are set to be coming over

China will send 200 to 300 paramilitary People's Armed Police to Hong Kong as "observers" to enforce the national security law, Japanese media reported.

A Hong Kong government spokesman said it would not comment on speculative reports, adding any mainland law enforcers would have to abide by local laws.

Kyodo News reported that the armed police will stay on a long-term basis, quoting sources from the Chinese side.

The Basic Law states that the SAR government may, when necessary, ask the central government for assistance from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison in the maintenance of public order and in disaster relief.

The Kyodo report said if mainland authorities send armed police who deal with incidents like riots and reside in Hong Kong, it will water down the Basic Law and psychological pressure on Hongkongers will likely increase.

National People's Congress Standing Committee member Tam Yiu-chung said he does not have information on the matter.

The People's Armed Police Force is a paramilitary organization primarily responsible for internal security, riot control, anti-terrorism and disaster relief, as well as providing support to the People's Liberation Army in defense during wartime.

Separately, China has appointed Zheng Yanxiong, who gained prominence during the Wukan protest in 2011, as director of its new national security office in Hong Kong.

He most recently served as the secretary general of the Communist Party committee of Guangdong province.

Zheng's popularity rose after he clamped down on protesters at Wukan village in Shanwei in 2011 after they accused the village committee of illegal land grabbing.

The villagers had sought compensation for land requisitioned by the government and elected a committee to represent their rights. They also aired their grievances to foreign media, during which Zheng made controversial remarks that "pigs will fly before the foreign press can be trusted."

A former Wukan village representative turned dissident, Zhuang Liehong, tweeted "Today Wukan, tomorrow Hong Kong" after it was announced that Zheng will head the office in Hong Kong.

The national security law for Hong Kong outlined special cases that Beijing retains jurisdiction over.

The central government will retain jurisdiction for complex cases due to the involvement of a foreign country or external elements that make it difficult for the SAR to exercise jurisdiction over the case.

Beijing will also have jurisdiction if the SAR government is unable to effectively enforce the security law or when a major threat to national security has occurred.

Meanwhile, the deputy director of the Basic Law Committee, Maria Tam Wai-chu, said it was made clear during the drafting of the Basic Law that national security will be regarded as the central government's authority.

"Article 23 is included in Chapter Two of the Basic Law, which explains the relationship between the central government and the SAR. That means national security should not be regarded as part of Hong Kong's autonomy," Tam said.

"It is completely feasible in legal terms to have all cases tried in mainland China, but the central government respects one country, two systems and allows Hong Kong to execute its jurisdiction in majority of cases."