People’s Liberation Army’s Hong Kong garrison holds first flag-raising ceremony at Central designated zone marking military anniversary

Plot spanning 150 metres was declared a military dock in 2020 by Hong Kong government after much back and forth between administration and politicians over the years

Garrison commanders release joint statement citing President Xi Jinping’s July 1 speech in city and vowing to safeguard national security

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The People’s Liberation Army’s Hong Kong garrison organised a flag raising ceremony in Central on Monday morning to celebrate the PLA’s 95th anniversary. Photo: Weibo

Published: 2:17pm, 1 Aug 2022Updated: 6:18pm, 1 Aug 2022

The People’s Liberation Army’s Hong Kong garrison has held its first flag-raising ceremony marking the military’s anniversary at a designated zone on the Central waterfront, vowing to safeguard national security in the city.

The city’s administration handed the military berth over to the garrison in 2020, after the opposition camp tried to delay the process, arguing that the entire promenade should be used as open space.

Writing on his Facebook page on Monday, Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu said he was “fortunate to have witnessed the historic moment” two years ago as security chief.

“We’ve overcame many obstacles in the process, and I’m still very proud of this,” he said. “The garrison silently guards Hong Kong and is a solid backing for the city’s prosperity and stability, I’d like to take this special day to express my highest respect to them.”

In a joint statement, Major General Peng Jingtang and political commissar Lai Ruxin from the garrison also honoured the country’s 95-year-old military.

“President Xi [Jinping] inspected the Hong Kong garrison on July 1 … He spoke highly of the outstanding contributions made by it, and fully affirmed the important role of the garrison,” they said.

“The garrison will join hands with all walks of life in Hong Kong to safeguard national security and Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, and make greater contributions to the steady and long-term development of the practice of ‘one country, two systems’.”