adminHu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived yesterday to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China and the swearing-in ceremony of the fourth-term government of the HKSAR.
In the company of Zhang Shibo, commander of the PLA Garrison in the HKSAR, Hu consecutively inspected troops in 15 formations of more than 3 000 soldiers, including guard of honour, army, navy, air force, women soldiers, infantry, armoured force and helicopters.
About 4 000 spectators, including Hong Kong youths attending the garrison’s military summer camp and college students who received military training in recent years, were present on the occasion.
The PLA Hong Kong garrison is responsible for defense in Hong Kong since its return to the motherland in 1997.
After the inspection, Hu talked with some women soldiers in their dormitory, where he encouraged them to continue raising their skills and ideological and political standards for new progress in carrying out their duties.
In his meeting with garrison officers, Hu spoke highly of the garrison for the impressive performance of officers and soldiers in fulfilling various missions over the past 15 years, which has won them wide praise from Hong Kong citizens.
He urged the garrison to steadfastly abide by the Basic Law and Garrison Law of the HKSAR, boost capacity building to fulfill multiple military tasks, and try to be
models in loving Hong Kong and putting the citizens first, so as to make greater contribution for the city’s long-term prosperity and stability.
Hu made the inspection in the company of State Councilor Liu Yandong; Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of CPC Central Committee; Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; General Li Ji’nai, director of the PLA General Political Department, and other high ranking officials.
The PLA garrison has made major contribution to securing Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability over the past 15 years, China’s defense ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
“The garrison has been focusing on combat readiness training, marine and air patrol missions, joint military drills, while successfully carrying out joint rescue and anti-terrorism training programs,” said Geng. — Xinhua.
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