China building air defense shield in Hong Kong

China is building a surface-to-air defense system in Hong Kong capable of intercepting missiles launched from the United States or Taiwan.

The facility, which is being built in the People's Liberation Army barracks in remote Shek Kong, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to Apple Daily.

It will include six HQ-6 surface-to-air mobile launchers that can deliver missiles up to 12,000 meters.

Reaction time is 14 seconds and the system takes 15 minutes to deploy and seven minutes to withdraw.

Plans for the air defense shield were mooted in 2012 during a visit by then President Hu Jintao.

Macau-based military expert Antony Wong said the system is being built inside an airport.

The PLA Shek Kong barracks are protected by Shenyang J-8 fighter aircraft that operate out of Foshan, Guangdong province.

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