China's Hu Jintao Stresses Boosting Defence Capacity at Hong Kong Troop Review

Jul 01, 07:05 AM

Current Headlines: Text of report by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)

[Report by reporters Sun Chengbin and Chen Binhua: "President Hu Jintao Inspects Troops Stationed in Hong Kong"]

Hong Kong, 30 Jun (Xinhua) -Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CCP Central Committee, president of the state, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, who is in Hong Kong participating in activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, inspected the People's Liberation Army [PLA] unit in Hong Kong on the morning of 30 June. On behalf of the party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, he extended cordial regards to the officers and soldiers and encouraged them to bear in mind the great trust of the party and the people, to make new merits in carrying out their mission of defending Hong Kong, and to make still greater contributions to bringing about a more beautiful and better future for Hong Kong.

At Victoria Bay in the morning, a light wind is blowing against one's face, and little waves are rippling. Colourful flags are fluttering at the Angchuanzhou Naval Base of the PLA unit stationed in Hong Kong. The warships anchoring near the shore are newly decorated.

At about 10:00, Hu Jintao's vehicle arrived at the North Dock of the Angchuanhou Naval Base. At the dock, the officers and soldiers waiting to be reviewed wore brand new uniforms. The officers and soldiers were in high sprits. Their discipline, appearance, and bearing looked solemn. Amidst majestic music, Hu Jintao walked to the front of the military flag and saluted it with wrapped-up attention. Afterwards, he inspected the unit stationed in Hong Kong. Hu Jintao extended cordial regards to the officers and soldiers under review. The officers and soldiers loudly thanked President Hu for his concern.

After the review concluded, Hu Jintao inspected the reading room and computer room of the alert communications company of the naval ship and boat brigade. He also visited the living quarters of the company, shook hands with the fighters one by one, sat down to have a cordial conversation with them, and asked them in detail about their work, training, study, and living condition.

After the inspection concluded, Hu Jintao received cadres of the unit stationed in Hong Kong at and above the battalion level and also made an important speech. He said: In the past 10 years since it entered Hong Kong, the unit stationed in Hong Kong has resolutely carried out the instructions of the party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission and persisted in stationing troops according to law and carrying out its mission according to law, thus outstandingly fulfilling its tasks. It has scored gratifying achievements in strengthening itself. It has won the praise of the people of Hong Kong and the commendation of the Central Military Commission. With actual deeds, you comrades have handed a piece of qualified correct test answer to the motherland and the people of the motherland.

Hu Jintao stressed: Your mission is sacred and your duty is heavy in defending Hong Kong. I hope comrades uphold Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thinking of the "Three representations" as guidance, further carry out the scientific development concept, always adhere to the principle of "one country, two systems," strictly abide by the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region [SAR], the law on stationing troops in Hong Kong, and the laws of the Hong Kong SAR; and support the government of the Hong Kong SAR. You should inherit and carry forward the glorious tradition and fine work-style of the people's army, love Hong Kong and maintain close ties with the people of Hong Kong, observe discipline in a civilized way, and withstand the test of special tasks and a complicated environment. In line with your function and mission, you should strengthen military training and constantly enhance your ability to carry out your defence tasks. It is necessary to place high demands on the military, to strengthen scientific management, and to strive to push forward army building in a faster and better way so as to provide a powerful guarantee for safeguarding national sovereignty and security and maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

Wang Gang, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee, and director of the General Office of the CCP Central Committee; Sheng Huaren, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress [NPC]; State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan; Liao Hui, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [CPPCC] and director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council; Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of the general staff; Zhang Qinsheng, command of the Guangzhou Military Region; Yang Deqing, political commissar of the Guangzhou Military Region; Wang Jitang, commander of the unit stationed in Hong Kong; and Zhang Rucheng, political commissar of the unit stationed in Hong Kong, accompanied Hu Jintao in reviewing the troops.

Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the National CPPCC Committee, and Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, accompanied Hu Jintao in reviewing the troops.

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