Xi conveys confidence, care to Hong Kong

President meets representatives of officers, soldiers stationed at PLA Garrison in city

President Xi Jinping has urged the Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to comprehensively strengthen its capacity for fulfilling its mission and make greater contributions to safeguarding national security and the region's long-term stability.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark on Friday while inspecting the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong at the Central Barracks, part of his activities in the city for the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

At the barracks, Xi met with representatives of the military officers and soldiers stationed in Hong Kong, and had a group photo taken with them.

He said that over the past 25 years, the PLA Garrison in the SAR has resolutely followed the decisions and policies of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, seriously implemented the principle of "one country, two systems", the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, and completed all tasks with defense as the main focus.

In particular, Xi said, facing the profound and complex changes that have taken place in Hong Kong in recent years, the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong has kept in mind the overall strategy of the CPC Central Committee in steering the development of the region, and played a crucial role in returning Hong Kong from chaos to order.

He stressed that Hong Kong is at a key period transitioning from order to prosperity, and the PLA Garrison has heavy tasks and shoulders important responsibilities.

Xi underlined the need to implement the Party's thought on strengthening the military in the new era.

He urged the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong to comprehensively strengthen its defense capacity in accordance with the new situation and the tasks it faces, and make greater contributions to advancing steady and long-term practice of the principle of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.

The PLA has had a garrison in the SAR since Hong Kong returned to the motherland in 1997.