PLA HK garrison holds military parade
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-01 15:35

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held a military parade Sunday morning, the first of its kind since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997.

Braving the scorching sun, some 30,000 people from all walks of life in Hong Kong watched the parade at the Shek Kong barracks, including HKSAR Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa.

Chinese soldiers take part in a parade in Hong Kong August 1, 2004. [Reuters]

Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison march during parade in Hong Kong August 1, 2004. Today marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. The HK Garrison staged its first parade in special administrative region, with 3,000 soldiers marching crisply in formation as others rode in armored vehicles and helicopters, as part of efforts to boost patriotism and show their readiness to defend the country and the SAR. [Reuters]  Military helicopters of the PLA do a fly-by over barracks in Hong Kong August 1, 2004. [Reuters]

About 3,000 PLA garrison soldiers took part in the parade on Sunday, which is also the 77th founding anniversary of the PLA.

Commander of the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong Wang Jitang inspected the soldiers before the parade. The parade featured formations of troops of the land, naval and air forces, followed by formations of armored vehicles and helicopters.

A PLA official said earlier that the parade was aimed at displaying the national sovereignty, strength of national defense and the central government's power and determination to safeguard national and regional security.

He said he hoped that the parade would display the PLA's modernization level and help promote close relationship between the army and the Hong Kong people.

According to schedule, the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong will hold a reception Sunday evening to mark the 77th founding anniversary of the PLA. Some 200 guests including principal officials of the HKSAR government and leaders of the representative offices of the central government organs in Hong Kong will be present. Commander Wang Jitang will deliver a speech at the reception.

Close

Today's Top News     Top China News
Defence minister: Army to smash any independence plot         War against porn website in full swing         Foreign banks share RMB profits         Iraqi militants claim to kidnap two Turks         WTO OKs plan to end farm export subsidies         British Army uniforms to be made in China	Defence minister: Army to smash any independence plot       PLA HK garrison holds military parade       Guangdong non-State sector sees fast growth       British Army uniforms to be made in China       Foreign banks share RMB profits       War against porn website in full swing