By Fang Zhao and Wang Chenxi
MACAO, Dec. 21 (ChinaMil) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison held flag-raising ceremonies at the New Port barracks in Macao and Zhengling barracks in Zhuhai to celebrate the 19th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the establishment of the PLA Macao Garrison on Thursday morning.
Senior Colonel Zhu Anping, Chief-of-staff of the PLA Macao Garrison, said that 19 years ago, as a symbol of national sovereignty, the garrison was stationed in Macao to perform defense duties in accordance with the orders of China's Central Military Commission (CMC). Since then, the garrison has unswervingly implemented the "one country, two systems" policy, the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People' s Republic of China, the Law on Stationing Troops in the Macao Special Administrative Region and other laws and regulations.
The PLA Macao Garrison has always respected and supported the Macao government's governance in accordance with the law, and effectively performed its defense duties. It has assisted the Macao government in disaster relief for the first time in accordance with the law, made due contributions to maintaining Macao's prosperity and stability, and won high praise from the vast majority of Macao's compatriots and the international community, said Zhu, adding that the garrison will make even greater contributions to maintaining Macao's prosperity and stability in the future.
It is reported that since the stationing of the PLA Macao Garrison, it has regularly carried out field combat readiness training and live-fire military exercises to comprehensively improve the capability to perform its defense duties. At the same time, it has actively participated in public welfare activities such as helping the elderly and the young, planting trees, donating blood and goods as needed. The PLA Macao Garrison has also continued to carry out a series of activities such as the military barracks opening to the public, cultural networking, military summer camps and flag bearer trainings, making due contributions to the cause of Macao's public welfare.
