Over the past decade, the People's Liberation Army garnered widespread support from across the spectrum of Hong Kong society, creating an atmosphere which helped the troops fulfill their responsibility for Hong Kong's defense.

 

 

A ceremony was held on Sunday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops' arrival in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

 

During the ceremony, an order of commendation from Hu Jintao, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) honoring the PLA troops in the HKSAR was read out.

 

On July 1, 1997, the day Hong Kong returned to the motherland, the PLA Hong Kong Garrison formally took up its position in the HKSAR.

 

Over the past 10 years, the PLA Garrison fully abided by decisions and orders of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the CMC, and carried out its duties in a spirit which respected the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the law governing the PLA garrison in the HKSAR, the order of commendation said.

 

In this way, the PLA Garrison has made an outstanding contribution to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, it said.

 

Ge Zhenfeng, deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, addressed the PLA garrison troops in Hong Kong, saying that they firmly implemented the principle of "one country, two systems," and helped bring about Hong Kong's continuing prosperity and stability.

 

On behalf of the PLA's general headquarters, Ge expressed heartfelt thanks to the HKSAR government, as well all sectors of Hong Kong society.

 

HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang personally thanked the PLA garrison troops in Hong Kong for their strong contribution to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability during the past 10 years.

 

He said the PLA garrison troops' actions for the last 10 years had won them "trust and admiration from the Hong Kong people."

 

Wang Jitang, PLA commander in Hong Kong, said that July 1, 1997 marked a new page of PLA history as it took up the defense of Hong Kong. Its mission has been successful in all aspects, including safeguarding China's sovereignty over Hong Kong, and carrying itself as a mighty and civilized force.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2007)