The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison troops in
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Saturday conducted
its ninth troop rotation since it assumed Hong Kong's defense
responsibility on July 1, 1997.
The annual rotation started at 00:00 Nov. 25 when a number of
military vehicles of the ground troops rolled across the Lok Ma
Chau checkpoint into Hong Kong under the escort of the Hong Kong
police.
Six military helicopters landed at the Skek Kong Barracks in the
morning. The last part of the rotation was carried out at the
Stonecutters Island Naval Base.
The naval rotation involved a missile escort vessel, a landing
ship.
The annual rotation was conducted in accordance with the HKSAR
Garrison Law of the People's Republic of China.
The size of the forces remained unchanged in both personnel and
weaponry after the rotation, said Lieutenant Colonel Cheng
Dongfang, spokesman for the PLA garrison troops in Hong Kong.
(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2006)
