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LCQ4: Involvement of the Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army in the training of local youngsters
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    Following is a question by Hon Ip Kin-yuen and a reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (February 4):
 
Question:

     It has been reported that on the 18th of last month, a new uniformed group known as the Hong Kong Army Cadets Association (HKACA) held its founding ceremony at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks of the Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army (HK Garrison). The Chief Executive, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the commander of the HK Garrison serve as HKACA's honorary patrons, while a number of Directors and Secretaries of Bureaux are its honorary advisers. It has also been reported that the HK Garrison will assist in training HKACA's members.  Besides, a community organisation has been organising the Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth jointly with the HK Garrison and the Education Bureau each year since 2005. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1)  of the role of the Government in HKACA, and whether it will participate in the operation of, provide financial support for or organise activities jointly with HKACA; if it will, of the details;

(2)  whether it has studied and assessed if the HK Garrison's assistance to local uniformed groups in training the youth, including providing training on live-ammunition shooting, weapon disassembly and assembly, military boxing and military knowledge, etc., in military training camps, is in contravention of Article 14 of the Basic Law, which provides that the HK Garrison shall not interfere in the local affairs of Hong Kong, and any provision of the Public Order Ordinance; if the study and assessment outcome is in the affirmative, of the details; if the study and assessment outcome is in the negative, the justifications for that; and

(3)  whether it knows the role of the HK Garrison in HKACA, and whether the HK Garrison will participate in the operation of, provide financial support for or organise activities jointly with HKACA; if the HK Garrison will, of the details; as there are comments that in the past, the HK Garrison used to maintain a low-profile presence in Hong Kong and was rarely involved in Hong Kong's local affairs, whether the Government has approached the mainland authorities to gain an understanding of whether the HK Garrison has changed its low-profile approach recently to become actively involved in Hong Kongˇ¦s local affairs by assisting in training HKACA's members?

Reply:

Acting President,

     Uniformed Groups (UGs) have a long history in Hong Kong and they have been taking up the role as agents for organising youth activities. The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) currently provides recurrent subvention for 11 UGs to support their work in youth development. The HAB-subvented UGs include The Scout Association of Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Adventure Corps; the Boys' Brigade, Hong Kong; etc., consisting of over 130 000 youth participants. There are also UGs not subvented by HAB, for example, the Auxiliary Medical Service of Hong Kong, the Civil Aid Service, etc. Any UG that is set up by the public may operate on its own so long as they register in accordance with relevant requirements and abide by the laws of Hong Kong.

     UGs provide various kinds of group activities outside the classroom to help enhance the youth's confidence, discipline and leadership skills; train up their physical fitness, as well as offering opportunities for participating in voluntary community service and overseas exchange activities to widen their horizons and build up positive values. The Chief Executive announced in his 2014 Policy Address that the recurrent subvention to the UGs would be doubled. UGs can make use of the funding to provide more diversified training, enhance their corporate governance, strengthen their training to the voluntary leaders, etc., so as to raise the quality of their youth service continually. We also encourage all UGs to strengthen their recruitment so that more youths can participate in their activities.

     To help needy students who are interested in joining UGs, HAB has set up the Assistance Scheme for Needy Student Members, under which additional assistance is provided to UG members who are Primary One to Secondary Six students for buying uniforms and accessories as well as participating in training activities.

     The newly-established Hong Kong Army Cadets Association (HKACA), which was set up last month, is pioneered by a group of passionate members in the community. As we understand, HKACA is going to leverage on the past activities of the Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth as the basis to provide regular training to promote spirit of unity, discipline and stamina among youth, so that they can be equipped to contribute to the development of Hong Kong and our country.

     We welcome the establishment of this new UG and wish that it would work on its corporate governance and improve its transparency, similar to what other UGs are doing, so that the community can have a better understanding of the organisation and avoid unnecessary speculations and concerns.

     The answers to the questions raised by Hon Ip are as follows:

(1)  HKACA is an organisation that has just announced its establishment. The Government did not take part in its formation or provide any financial support; nor does the Government participate in its operation or co-organise with it any activities. HAB has not received any funding application from the organisation. If we receive such an application in future, we will consider it thoroughly in accordance with our established criteria;

(2)  ever since the Reunification over 17 years ago, the Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong has been performing defence functions in Hong Kong in strict accordance with the Basic Law, the Garrison Law and other relevant ordinances. The Hong Kong Garrison does not interfere in the local affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

     The Hong Kong Garrison has been putting a lot of emphases on building up its military strength and performing its defence functions, which contribute greatly to the maintenance of the long term economic prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. At the same time, the Hong Kong Garrison has been enthusiastic in participating in various kinds of charitable work in Hong Kong and communicating with local residents. For example, the Hong Kong Garrison organised many military camp open days that allowed over 500 000 citizens to visit the camps and various types of light and heavy weapons; the Garrison planted over 70 000 trees through joining the Hong Kong Tree-planting Day; over 6 400 officers and soldiers donated blood to Hong Kong residents; the military marching band and artistic team have been popular and were from time to time invited to perform to local residents; the Hong Kong Garrison also organised many visits to the aged and the young ones. Throughout these years, the Hong Kong Garrison has organised 10 Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth and helped train up many participants.

     The Hong Kong Garrison has built up an outstanding image and gained the recognition, trust and praise from the residents. We have never heard of any case of the Garrison violating the Basic Law and other relevant laws.

     As for the newly-established HKACA, it is set up in accordance with the law. According to its Articles of Association, there is no mention of issues such as live-ammunition shooting as raised in the question;

(3)  HKACA is an autonomous civil organisation and has no subordinating relationship with the Hong Kong Garrison. The Garrison did not participate in the establishment of HKACA, and will not participate in its operation or provide any financial support.

     The Hong Kong Garrison performs its duty and responsibilities in accordance with the law and this principle will remain unchanged. The discussion on the so-called "low-profile", "high-profile" presence is only the comment made by some third parties, rather than an approach that the Garrison adopts deliberately. On June 29, 2012, the day before Hong Kong celebrating its 15th Anniversary of Reunification, the Hong Kong Garrison was inspected by Mr. Hu Jintao, the then Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, at the Shek Kong barracks. The troops inspected were in 15 formations with more than 3 000 officers and soldiers from the army, navy and the air force; the maneuverable missiles and other equipment were also on display. A number of well-known community leaders in Hong Kong and the past participants of Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth and the tertiary military camp also attended the ceremony. The inspection was widely reported by the media and drew much attention both locally and overseas. This has obviously nothing to do with a "low-profile" or "high-profile" presence.

     The Garrison embodies the autonomy of our country. On July 1, 1997, the Garrison marched in on time and stationed in the designated positions. Since then, the Garrison's role, function and principle, as well as their direction have remained the same. We should all support the work of the Garrison.

     Thank you Acting President.

Ends/Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:11

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