Military drills should be welcomed as show of national solidarity

People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers stand guard during an open day event at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks, in Hong Kong, China, on July 1, 2015.[Photo/IC]

On the sweltering summer morning of July 4, the Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) held a live-fire military drill at its Castle Peak Firing Range. Lasting 40 minutes, it was the largest-scale military drill with live ammunition that has ever taken place in Hong Kong. It was also the first time since the handover that the garrison opened the military exercise to the media as well as 500 guests from the local community.

Intriguingly, some media in Hong Kong were tempted to conflate the military drill with the new National Security Law passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) on July 1. Seemingly overwhelmed, they expressed the fear that it was a gesture of suppression and restriction on freedom. The pro-establishment camp, in response, appeased the startled birds by suggesting that one should not read too much into the timing of the drill. A more assertive politician said, "Why use an ox cleaver to kill a chicken?"

I find the controversy bizarre. Article 14 of the Basic Law provides that: "The Central People's Government shall be responsible for the defense of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region." A decision of the NPCSC on July 1 1997 added "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Garrisoning of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" to Annex III of the Basic Law. By virtue of Article 18 of the Basic Law, the Garrisoning Law is a national law applied in Hong Kong.

Under Article 5 of the Garrisoning Law, the functions and responsibilities of the Hong Kong Garrison are fourfold: (1) preparing against and resisting aggression, and safeguarding the security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; (2) carrying out defense duties; (3) administering military facilities; and (4) handling foreign-related military affairs.

In order to fulfill the above functions and responsibilities, members of the Hong Kong Garrison engage in drills and relevant activities on a regular and progressive basis. The primary goals of any military exercise are to invigorate the military force and to augment people's confidence in the army's abilities. The Garrison has the discretion to launch military drills at an appropriate time - whether or not they open to the public, and whether or not that time is immediately after the passing of a new piece of legislation.