PLA Hong Kong Garrison pays respect to fallen war heroes at Tai Po monument, which was vandalised amid protest crisis
- Chinese state media condemns damage and urges police to bring those responsible to justice
- Focus on monument comes on 88th anniversary of Japan’s invasion of northeastern China
Soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison paid their respects at a memorial to those who died defending the city during the second world war, days before the 88th anniversary of Japan’s invasion of northeastern China.
The official WeChat account of the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command, which revealed the news on Thursday, did not mention the exact date of the visit to the cenotaph at Tai Po’s Wu Kau Tang.
The soldiers laid wreaths before the Monument for Martyrs Against Japanese Militarism and sang military songs. A source said the visit occurred earlier this month.
The report came hours after state media Xinhua issued a commentary condemning acts of vandalism at the monument.
On Thursday, Lam Chun, president of the Society of Veterans of the original Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, also said she spotted slogans such as “anti-extradition bill martyrs” spray-painted on the memorial two days earlier.