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Nectar Gan

Tony Cheung

The People’s Liberation Army has signalled that its Hong Kong garrison is no longer just a sovereign symbol but a combat-ready force that could demonstrate China’s military might.
“The PLA’s garrison in Hong Kong is not only a military garrison; more importantly, it is a political garrison,” according to an article penned by commander Yuan Yubai and political commissar Wei Liang of the Southern Theatre Command, indicating that the city is high on their agenda.
China’s PLA ‘to play bigger role in boosting Hong Kong patriotism’
The article to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the PLA’s deployment to the former British colony appeared in the Communist Party’s flagship journal Qiushi, or Seeking Truth, on Thursday.


It called for the Hong Kong garrison to adhere to the decisions and orders of the central leadership of the party, the military and President Xi Jinping, who is expected to visit Hong Kong to mark the handover anniversary on July 1.

Acknowledging the changing circumstances both in Hong Kong and internationally, Yuan and Wei said the garrison had adjusted its work focus.
“[The garrison] has changed from being a symbolic presence to a show of force, from image building to combat capability development,” the article said, adding that troops had also become more proactive in their attitude.
Xi Jinping commends elite PLA squad based in Hong Kong
They also said the garrison had been studying and analysing possible security risks and combat scenarios to better devise plans in the event of war.
The Hong Kong garrison, which is equipped with destroyers and warships, is tasked with monitoring and tracking suspicious activity in the territory’s waters and airspace and dealing with emergency situations, along with its responsibilities for the city.
Last week, the garrison conducted an air and naval patrol of the waters off Hong Kong in an apparent show of military power just days after a “dangerous” encounter between Chinese and American military aircraft 240km southeast of the city, which China’s Ministry of Defence said was a “routine” patrol.
In the article, the top brass reiterated the Hong Kong garrison’s mission to safeguard the “one country, two systems” policy as well as China’s sovereignty.
Xi Jinping likely to preside over military parade in Hong Kong handover anniversary
They also noted the ideological challenges faced by the garrison’s soldiers in Hong Kong, noting that the city was a meeting point of East and West.
The garrison also keeps a close eye on weaponry, confidentiality, security checks, espionage and smuggling, as well as guarding against accidents and disputes in the city, the article said.
The fact that the article was written by the Southern Theatre Command leaders also indicated the garrison’s new reporting line after a reorganisation of the military last year.


Hong Kong’s PLA garrison no longer just symbolic, top brass say

Commander Yuan Yubai (in white uniform) of the Southern Theatre Command is one of the authors of the article. Photo: Edward Wong

Former Hong Kong Chief Executive and Vice Chairman of CPPCC, Tung Chee-hwa (front row left 4) and Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Leung Chun-ying (front row right 4) attend the HKSAR 20th Anniversary Celebration by Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Central Barracks in Central. 16JUN17 SCMP/ Edward Wong

China’s PLA ‘to play bigger role in boosting Hong Kong patriotism’

Senior Beijing official for city’s affairs says troops a ‘strong backup’ for authorities during Occupy protests, as government hands over honorary title

HKSAR 20th Anniversary Celebration by Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Central Barracks in Central. 16JUN17 SCMP/ Edward Wong

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chung-ying attends HKSAR 20th Anniversary Celebration by Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Central Barracks in Central. 16JUN17 SCMP/ Edward Wong

Feng Wei said the garrison had helped promote ‘the reunification of Hong Kong people’s hearts’. Photo: Edward Wong

China shows US its military muscle with patrol off Hong Kong waters amid rising maritime tensions

US military officials said May 19 that two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets like the one shown in this file photo intercepted a US WC-135 plane, which was conducting a radiation survey in international airspace over the East China Sea. Photo: EPA

epa05973761 A handout photo made available by the US Air Force shows a WC-135W Constant Phoenix aircraft performing touch 'n go landing exercises, at Offutt Air Force Base, near Omaha, Nebraska, USA, 12 February 2009 (issued 19 may 2017). According to media reports on 19 May 2017, US military officials said that two Chinese Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets intercepted a US Air Force WC-135 plane, which was conducting a radiation survey in international airspace over the East China Sea. EPA/US AIR FORCE HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang attends a press briefing in Beijing on May 25, 2017. Lu expressed "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" over the U.S. warship's move near Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands over which China claims "indisputable sovereignty." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

FILE - In this Friday, April 21, 2017, file photo, an airstrip, structures and buildings on China's man-made Subi Reef in the Spratly chain of islands in the South China Sea are seen from a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane of the Philippine Air Force. Beijing says it is "firmly opposed" to a Pentagon report on the Chinese military that highlighted China's construction of military facilities on made-made islands in the South China Sea and speculated that Beijing would likely build more military bases overseas. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)

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Troops in city have shifted focus to become ‘show of force’, according to article in Communist Party journal


Hong Kong’s PLA garrison no longer just symbolic, top brass say

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Troops in city have shifted focus to become ‘show of force’, according to article in Communist Party journal

Troops in city have shifted focus to become ‘show of force’, according to article in Communist Party journal