‘Hello, chairman’: Hong Kong PLA troops break tradition with new greeting for President Xi Jinping
During his inspection of the city’s PLA garrison on Friday, troops offered the visiting president a more personalised welcome, setting him apart from other military commanders
Instead of shouting “hello, commander”, as would be the usual case at official inspections, PLA troops instead shouted “hello, chairman” – a welcome that has never been heard at such an event.
Analysts believed the new greeting was a gesture by the PLA to assert its sovereignty in the city, as well as an oath of loyalty to Xi. “Chairman” in the greeting refers to Xi’s role as head of the all-powerful Central Military Commission.
The special arrangement underscores the significance of the event and is expected to be followed in inspections in the future, according retired PLA major general Xu Guangyu.
“It’s a special event, Hong Kong is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the handover and Xi is visiting there. I personally see it as a way to let Xi feel closer to the forces,” Xu said.
Any general could be called a commander, but the new slogan can’t be chanted to anyone else but Xi
