Hong Kong PLA garrison conducts drill after Xi Jinping’s call to adopt latest training, technology to fight future wars
- Hong Kong garrison conducts drills on land, sea and air to ‘boost its capability’ for defending the city
- Training exercise comes after first order of the year by Chinese leader for military to ‘follow the evolution of technology, warfare and rivals closely’
The Hong Kong garrison of the People’s Liberation Army has conducted a high-profile drill to “demonstrate its confidence and determination to defend” the city, after Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the military to adopt the latest technologies in training to win future wars.
Xi said that the army should “follow the evolution of technology, warfare and rivals closely”, as it began this year’s training and exercises.
China News Service reported on Wednesday that, in response to Xi’s order, the city’s garrison had launched its first military training of the year to “boost its capability in fulfilling Hong Kong’s defensive duties”.
“The soldiers and commanders will be full of enthusiasm as they devote themselves in all kinds of training to mark this new beginning and new journey,” a senior military official told the state-run news agency.
The media outlet also reported that several helicopters had flown from Shek Kong airbase as part of air force exercises, while two ships had left the navy base on Stonecutters Island for a series of drills in the city’s waters.
It quoted senior navy staff, who said the training was “designed to be as similar to real warfare as possible” to make soldiers more passionate about it.
Other departments involved in the drill included the ceremonial guards, as well as those in charge of special duties, armoured vehicles, communications and medical services.