Chinese President and chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao has issued an order to commend the People's Liberation Army troops stationed in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The troops were praised for upholding the theoretic system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), strengthening military training, abiding by laws and regulations, serving the people and protecting their legitimate interests, according to the order.

The order also stressed that the PLA troops stationed in Macao were a symbol of the Chinese government's exercise of sovereignty in the SAR, and were crucial to safeguarding national security, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to the long-term prosperity of Macao.

It urged all PLA members and the armed police to learn from the troops in Macao in order to push forward the modernization of China's national defense and the army.

Previously, Hu had issued another order to commend a PLA company stationed in Macao for its adherence to the "one country, two systems" principle and outstanding performance in coping with complicated situations and fulfilling defense missions.

On Wednesday, an awarding ceremony for the company attended by more than 500 people, including senior PLA leaders, representatives from China's State Council, the Foreign Ministry, Macao's lawmakers and political advisors, and local celebrities, was held in Macao.

The activity was also aimed to mark the 10th anniversary of the stationing of the PLA in the SAR.