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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, this (April 30) morning attended a ceremony at the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base to welcome the Task Group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy which is now in Hong Kong.
The Task Group comprises eight vessels including two guided missile destroyers (Shenzhen and Harbin), four guided missile frigates (Huaibei, Tongling, Xiangfan and Huaihua), and two submarines (314 and 324).
The Task Group is in Hong Kong for a six-day stop-over on its way for training in celebration of the 55th Anniversary of the PLA Navy.
Also attending the welcoming ceremony were: Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Gao Siren; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, Mr Yang Wenchang; Deputy Commander of Guangzhou Military Command, Lieutenant-General Ou Jingu; and Commander of Hong Kong Garrison, Major-General Wang Jitang; and Political Commissar of Hong Kong Garrison, Major-General Liu Liangkai.
HKSAR Government officials accompanying the Chief Executive at the welcoming ceremony were: Secretary for Justice Ms Elsie Leung; Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Mr Stephen Lam; Secretary for Security Mr Ambrose S K Lee; Commissioner of Police Mr Lee Ming-kwai; Commissioner of Customs & Excise, Mr Timothy Tong and Acting Director of Immigration Mr Chow Kwok-chuen.
The Commander of the Task Group of the PLA Navy, Vice-Admiral Yao Xingyuan, accompanied the Chief Executive to inspect the officers and soldiers on board "Shenzhen" and gave a briefing about the Task Group to the Chief Executive and accompanying officials. This was followed by an inspection tour to see the facilities on board "Submarine 324".
"Shenzhen" will be open in the morning of tomorrow (May 1) and next Monday (May 3) to members of the public who have earlier obtained admission tickets.
Meanwhile, the Military Band of PLA which comes along with the PLA Navy Task Group will stage two public performances with the Police Band. The hour-long performance is scheduled for 10am tomorrow (May 1) at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and at 3.30pm on Sunday (May 2) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively.
Officers and soldiers of the Task Group will take the opportunity of the stop-over to go shopping and sightseeing in Hong Kong.
The warships will leave Hong Kong next Wednesday (May 5).
Ends/Friday, April 30, 2004
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