The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison troops in
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have completed all
tasks focusing on defense over the past ten years and gained much
experience in the new environment, said Wang Jitang, commander of
PLA garrison troops in Hong Kong.
"All the tasks are fulfilled under the guidance of the 'One
country, Two systems' principle and by strictly adhering to the
Basic Law and the HKSAR Garrison Law," said Wang at a press
conference here on the 10th anniversary of the stationing of PLA
garrison troops in Hong Kong.
Since PLA garrison troops began to be stationed in Hong Kong in
1997, the troops had been striving to conduct trainings of defense
of all kinds, including land, air and sea trainings, he said.
Meanwhile, the troops had set up a mechanism of dealing with
emergencies and actively conducted search and rescue exercises with
relative departments of the HKSAR government, constantly improving
the troops' comprehensive capability of carrying out its task of
defense.
"Our troops and the relative departments of the HKSAR government
have set up mechanism of coordination," he said.
In the next ten years, the troops will continue to enhance their
training and carry out their duty of defense to safeguard the
long-term prosperity and stability of HKSAR, said Zhang Rucheng,
political commissar of the PLA garrison troops in Hong Kong.
He pledged that the troops will actively support the HKSAR
government in its governing in accordance with laws and constantly
strengthen exchanges and communication with the Hong Kong
society.
Zhang thanked the HKSAR government, Hong Kong citizens and
people of all circles for their care and support for the troops
over the past ten years, saying that their care and support had
helped the troops complete their missions.
(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2007)