Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng yesterday praised the local garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), sincerely thanking the PLA garrison for their efforts and contributions to the security, stability and development of Macau, describing the PLA garrison as a “Great Steel Wall on the banks of Haojiang”* upholding its “sacred mission of defending” the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).
In his address during a celebratory event at the PLA garrison barracks in Taipa yesterday morning which marked the 25th Anniversary of the stationing of the garrison in Macau, Ho underlined that over the last 25 years the troops stationed in Macau have stayed faithful to their initial goals, remained committed to their duties, and steadfastly preserved the esteemed traditions and “exemplar” values of the People’s Liberation Army.
PLA troops entered Macau on December 20, 1999, coinciding with the establishment of the MSAR.
Ho also said that the PLA garrison is unwavering in upholding the principles of “One Country, Two Systems” and “Macau people governing Macau” with a high degree of autonomy. He pointed out that the PLA garrison has continuously supported the significant achievements of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in the MSAR, leading to the “best period of development in Macau’s history.”
Zheng Xincong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), pointed out that over the past 25 years, the troops have diligently adhered to the Basic Law, local laws and regulations, fulfilling their defence responsibilities in Macau, and that they have firmly shouldered the responsibility of protecting the nation’s sovereignty, security, and development, and have consistently supported the chief executive and the MSAR government in governing according to law.
In his speech, PLA Macau Garrison Commander Yu Changjiang emphasised that the PLA garrison has consistently placed the national interest as their top priority. Yu said that over the past 25 years, the garrison has remained dedicated to serving the central government, fostering unity among the people, and promoting patriotic values.
With a renewed fighting spirit and solid work ethic, Yu pointed out, the local garrison’s aim is to usher in a new era of comprehensive development, focusing on long-term efforts to build a top-tier military force, acting as exemplary representatives of the People’s Liberation Army, as well as contributing to the enduring prosperity and stability of Macau society.
The ceremony was also attended by Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee Vice Chairman Edmund Ho Hau Wah and Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, among about 600 senior local and central government officials, as well as representatives from the Guangdong and Hong Kong PLA garrisons.
Zheng and Liu are the central authorities’ most senior officials posted to Macau. Edmund Ho was the first chief executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) between December 1999 and December 2009.
*According to Chinese-language Wikipedia, Haojiang (濠江 - Embankment River) is both one of Macau’s ancient names as well as the name of a waterway between the Macau Peninsula and Zhuhai’s Wanzai, passing through Ilha Verde, Patane and extending south to the waters of Nam Van.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (left), Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Zheng Xincong (centre) and PLA Macau Garrison Commander Yu Changjiang address a celebratory event at the PLA garrison barracks in Taipa yesterday morning which marked the 25th Anniversary of stationing of the garrison in Macau. – Photos provided by Macau PLA garrison
