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HK 10 Years > Life
SAR youths may join PLA in future
By Teddy Ng (HK Edition)
Hong Kong youths may be able to join the People's Liberation Army (PLA)
in future, PLA Hong Kong Garrison commander Wang Jitang said yesterday.
Speaking in a press conference on the garrison's 10th anniversary, he
pointed out that the nation currently has no plans to recruit Hong Kong
people as soldiers.
However, with more youngsters understanding the principle of "one
country, two systems" and the army work, Wang said these youngsters may
be able to join the army in the future.
The PLA Garrison had helped in protecting the SAR's stability and
prosperity in accordance with the Basic Law and the "one country, two
systems" principle.
Wang said the PLA Garrison had established action plans for emergency
events and conducted drills with relevant authorities of the SAR
government.
He said the garrison and the SAR government had a coordination mechanism
to cope with emergency events, and the PLA would provide assistance when
necessary.
The PLA Garrison had prepared contingency plan during the SARS outbreak
in 2003, and shared information with the police in 2005 when protests
were held during the World Trade Organization ministerial conference.
"We have shared information with police and given our opinion in handling
similar situation. But we are confident that Hong Kong police can fully
protect the stability of Hong Kong," Wang said.
He said the main contribution of the PLA Garrison was to maintain the
stability and prosperity of the SAR, and enhance public understanding of
the army.
When asked how the PLA Garrison would handle if there was a terrorist
attack in Hong Kong or cross-strait conflict, Wang said they are closely
monitoring the situation.
He said the PLA Garrison would continue strengthening legal education
among the soldiers and their sense of upholding the laws.
Wang also said State leaders would visit the PLA Garrison as part of Hong
Kong's reunification celebration activities, and the army would ensure
related security arrangement.
Zhang Rucheng, political commissar of the PLA Garrison, said there were
differences between the soldiers serving in Hong Kong and on the mainland
as Hong Kong soldiers were serving duties under the "one country, two
systems" principle, and they need to obey both Hong Kong and national
laws.
Zhang said apart from handling defense affairs of Hong Kong, the PLA
Garrison had also maintained a civilized image.
The conduct of the soldiers was fine despite the incident in which an
off-duty officer had taken away a HK$35 key chain without paying it in
Hong Kong Disneyland last February, Zhang said.
He said the PLA Garrison would fully cooperate with the police and the
judiciary, while that officer would be subject to disciplinary action
based on military rules.
"This was the only case of violating rules during our 10 years of service
in Hong Kong. This is an individual case," Zhang said.
There were 70 cases of British soldiers violating rules a year before the
reunification, he added.
Zhang said the PLA Garrison would continue launching activities to
enhance public understanding of the army.
The PLA Garrison had held 14 opening day activities in which 270,000
community members had participated.
(HK Edition 06/21/2007 page6)
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