The third and final group of advance troops from the People's Liberation Army crossed into Hong Kong yesterday afternoon.
Ninety soldiers came in a convoy through the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint shortly after 1 pm, bringing the number of PLA here to 196.
The advance troops are establishing communications and logistical lines for their contemporaries, who are expected to arrive in the early hours of July 1.
Major-General Zhou Borong, who headed the first advance party which arrived on April 21, greeted the group of 17 field officers, 44 junior officers and 29 soldiers in 12 military vehicles on the Hong Kong side of the border.
Assistant Secretary for Security James Chan Yum-min represented the Hong Kong Government, but there was no formal ceremony.
A few of the new arrivals saluted General Zhou, but most remained in the convoy of jeeps, coaches, trucks and communication vehicles.
The mainland troops drove to Cassino Lines near Shek Kong where some stayed, while the others headed to their postings at the Prince of Wales Barracks, Gallipoli Lines, Stanley Fort and Bonham Towers.
