The presence of the PLA has been credited with helping to bring an end to the gangland wars and pushing up property prices - even though the soldiers are rarely seen in the streets.
The troops have been staying at a temporary barracks in the 11-storey Edificacao Long Cheng in Rua de Goa since the handover, when about half of the 1,000-member garrison entered the territory.
The president of the International Military Association of Macau, Antony Wong Tong, said: 'We have fewer chances of seeing the PLA officers on the street than [we have of seeing] people in Hong Kong. The officers seldom go out. Their presence is very low profile - invisible almost. But they are very disciplined.
'The area around the temporary barracks has become a tourist spot. Property prices in the area have risen by up to 20 per cent as it is widely considered to be a very safe area with no crime.'
Mr Wong said the lack of a proper barracks had forced the officers to spend most of their time in temporary headquarters when they were not attending physical training sessions.
He said this could be why the Macau garrison had the highest computer literacy rate within the PLA.