With respect and love for the troops of the People's Liberation
Army (PLA) stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(SAR), over 10,000 people of Hong Kong visited the PLA barracks in
Stanley, Stonecutter Island and Shek Kong Sunday.
Since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland in 1997, the PLA
barracks are open to the public every year to help local people
better understand the life of the PLA soldiers and officers
stationed in Hong Kong.
Many people visited the PLA barracks with their families. Some
senior citizens even came with the help of stick and accompanied by
their grandchildren.
A
spokesman of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison said all the 11,000 tickets
of visiting the three PLA barracks this year had been sent out
early, and the PLA barracks would receive over 10,000 visitors
Sunday.
At
the Stanley barracks, the visitors watched the cooking performance
by the PLA chefs and tasted the food made by them.
The light weapon displayed on the playground drew a large number of
visitors, especially the young people.
Meanwhile, a football friendship match was held between the PLA
troops and Hong Kong police at Stanley, with cheers burst from the
audience from time to time.
During the break of the match, the PLA troops performed martial
arts and won applause from the audience.
Inside the barracks, many visitors volunteered to have pictures
taken with the soldiers. All the barracks were filled with a
jubilant atmosphere.
After visiting the PLA barracks, many Hong Kong people said they
really enjoy the visit which has broadened their vision. The PLA
barracks has become a good place for Hong Kong people to visit in
the public holiday.
(Xinhua News
Agency October 7, 2002)