The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region(HKSAR) held a military parade
Sunday morning, the first of its kind since Hong Kong's return to
the motherland in 1997.
Braving the scorching sun, some 30,000 people from all walks of
life in Hong Kong watch the parade at the Shek Kong barracks,
including Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Tung Chee-hwa.
About 3,000 PLA garrison soldiers took part in the parade on
Sunday, which is also the 77th founding anniversary of the PLA.
Commander of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong
Wang Jitang inspected the soldiers before the parade. The parade
featured formations of troops of the land, naval and air forces,
followed by formations of armored vehicles and helicopters.
A PLA official said earlier that the parade was aimed at
displaying the national sovereignty, strength of national defense
and the central government's power and determination to safeguard
national and regional security.
He said he hoped that the parade would display the PLA's
modernization level and help promote close relationship between the
army and the Hong Kong people.
According to the schedule, the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong will
hold a reception Sunday evening to mark the 77th founding
anniversary of the PLA. Some 200 guests including principal
officials of the HKSAR government and leaders of the representative
offices of the central organs in Hong Kong will be present.
Commander of the garrison Wang Jitang will deliver a speech at the
reception.
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(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2004)
