Chance for PLA to turn on style and turn a few heads

HONG Kong people are anxious about the thought of People's Liberation Army troops walking the streets of Central after 1997. But what if the soldiers discarded their baggy uniforms and wore clothes that were more stylish . . . more Hong Kong? The PLA, after all, is said to be training selected troops in the ways of the territory in preparation for their role as symbols of China's post-1997 sovereignty. Special uniforms might be appropriate for these special troops.

The South China Morning Post commissioned a fashion designer, Annkie Chan, to update the PLA uniform, to gauge the reaction of the territory's residents.

Two models were dressed in the natty new uniforms and stationed at Prince of Wales Barracks, Chater Garden, Statue Square and Pedder Street during a busy lunch-hour.

The aim of the exercise was to create a uniform which would allow PLA soldiers to mingle easily with Central office people without losing their military appearance.

Reactions were mixed. Many people rushed by. But then they turned to look. Some expressed approval but others seemed to be made nervous by the sight of the pseudo-PLA soldiers.

Perhaps clothes don't maketh the PLA man.

Sketches of the uniforms have been submitted to Xinhua (the New China News Agency) but it still had not commented last night.