The People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Parachute Brigade August First Team yesterday treated Hong Kong people to a morning of thrills and excitement with their superb skills.

About 14,000 people packed the Happy Valley sports ground to watch the parachutists being put through their paces as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations.

It was the PLA August First Team's first performance in Hong Kong.

The weather, unfortunately did not play its part - periods of dark clouds and rain.

The show was preceded by a concert, dancing and martial arts performances by the Hong Kong garrison of the PLA.

The highlight of the day was the performance of the parachute brigade. It made 10 jumps each depicting characters linked to Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

In "The Son's Homecoming", four women parachutists jumped from a height of 900 meters, holding the national flag and those of the Hong Kong SAR, PLA and the PLA Air Force.

In the "Pearl of the Orient" 1,200 meters above ground, five parachutists formed neat patterns in the sky trailing colorful smoke.

In the "Golden Flying Dragons" six parachutists wearing dragon uniforms came tumbling out of the sky and at about 600 meters they opened they parachutes to glide safely to the ground.

The brigade later gave another packed performance at Victoria Park.

Among the crowd, and attending for the first time as a principal official, was Secretary for Home Affairs, Tsang Tak-shing. He said he had never before witnessed such a show and thoroughly enjoyed it.

(China Daily 07/02/2007 page2)