China appears to be preparing for a military intervention in Hong Kong, but experts are skeptical that Beijing will pull the trigger.

Chinese forces have gathered in Shenzhen, the Chinese mega city right on the border with Hong Kong. Troops and military vehicles have amassed in what appears to be a warning sign over 10 weeks of protests. Demonstrations began over a proposed extradition bill, but the situation has grown chaotic in the weeks since. A video released by Chinese state media has shown trucks and armored personnel carriers going through Shenzhen. The vehicles belong to the People’s Armed Police Force (PAPF), which is a paramilitary force specializing in riot control and counter-terrorism.

Under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Chinese forces could step in legally at any time. Since the British handed the region back to China in 1997, Hong Kong hasn’t had a military of its own. The Hong Kong garrison is composed of troops from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Beijing has never actually called its Hong Kong PLA garrison to action as of yet.

China could easily intervene if it wanted to, but that doesn’t mean it will. Experts on Hong Kong agree that the moves by the PAPF are likely just a part of a broader strategy of intimidation and deterrence. Hong Kong has long held its reputation as a safe, clean, wealthy city that is good for business. While a PAPF ground operation in Hong Kong is a real possibility in the future, the stakes are very high right now. The leadership in Beijing understands that these forces would show less restraint in their use of force than the Hong Kong Police have so far. “I very much hope that even after 10 weeks of this going on, the government and President Xi will see the sense in establishing a way of actually bringing people together,” said Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong.