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The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence will hold the "People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition" from tomorrow (July 31) until January 6, 2010, in conjunction with Army Day celebrating the founding of the People's Liberation Army on August 1.
Through exhibits and panel text on display, people will be able to learn about the formation of the garrison, its positions after deployment into Hong Kong, training and contributions.
The exhibition was opened today (July 30) and the officiating guests included the Deputy Political Commissar of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Major General Zhang Ziguo; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; the Deputy Director General of Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Hanqi; the Vice-chairman of the Eastern District Council, Mr Chung Shu-kun, and the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Chung Ling-hoi.
The formation of the Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army was completed on October 25, 1994. The Hong Kong garrison comprises three units, ground, naval and air force, which are respectively organised mainly into infantry brigades, a naval fleet and air corps. The size of the forces is determined by the defence needs of Hong Kong.
According to the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, the role of the garrison is to defend the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). If called upon by the Government of the HKSAR to the Central People's Government, the garrison will help maintain public order and disaster relief in times of emergency.
To embody China's territorial sovereignty over Hong Kong, the garrison officially entered in Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, and has carried out defence duties since then.
Having been stationed in Hong Kong for 12 years, the Hong Kong garrison's main focus is on combat training, with the goal of enhancing its defence capabilities. Under intensive training, all officers and men in the garrison are continuously upgraded. Its ground force has trained more than 2,000 elite special troops, while navy vessels and captains have attained 100% full training rates. All its air force captains and pilots are competent in all-weather flying.
To enhance communication with and understanding by the public, the Hong Kong garrison has organised open days at its camp and is actively involved in community work, including tree planting, blood donation and fund raising for victims of disasters. The garrison has also organised well-attended summer camps for the past five years, with 850 teenage students taking part.
While stationed in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong garrison abides by the Basic Law, the Garrison Law and the laws of the HKSAR, and adheres to the "one country, two systems" policy. Defending the territory successfully, the Hong Kong garrison has built a good image by fully displaying its strength and sophistication.
The Museum of Coastal Defence is located at 175 Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong. It opens from 10am to 5pm and is closed on Thursdays, except public holidays. The opening hour extends to 6pm during weekends and public holidays from now to August 31. Admission is $10 and half-price concessions are applicable to full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
For details of the exhibition, please visit the museum's website on http://hk.coastaldefence.museum or www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Coastal, or call 2569 1500.
Ends/Thursday, July 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:01
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