On July 1, 1997, the day of Hong Kong's historic return to the motherland, the PLA Hong Kong Garrison moved into the SAR on the orders of the CMC.

Over the past 10 years, the PLA Garrison has firmly implemented decisions and orders of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the CMC, and has always observed the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the law governing the PLA garrison in the SAR, the order of commendation says.

The PLA Garrison, which has respected the SAR Government and Hong Kong people, has made an outstanding contribution to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, it says.

It emphasizes that the PLA Hong Kong Garrison carries the sacred mission of safeguarding China's sovereignty over Hong Kong, territorial integrity of the nation and the security of Hong Kong. The garrison troops are also obliged to help maintain social security, relieve disasters, and firmly maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, it says.

The CMC urges all troops of the PLA and the Chinese People's Armed Police to follow the example of the Hong Kong garrison to ensure that they faithfully and effectively fulfill their historical mission in the new era.

The CMC also held a ceremony in Hong Kong on Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of the garrison's stationing in the SAR.

Tung Chee Hwa, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Donald Tsang, chief executive of the SAR attended the ceremony.