Over 60pc support allowing Hongkongers to enlist in People’s Liberation Army: DAB survey

Some 62 percent of citizens support allowing Hongkongers to enlist in the People’s Liberation Army, a survey by the city’s largest pro-establishment party has found. 

The Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong interviewed 697 citizens aged 12 or above on the phone in January, and 73 percent of respondents agreed with stepping up citizens’ knowledge of the PLA. 

About 62 percent supported the idea of allowing Hongkongers to enlist in the PLA while 25 percent voiced objection. 

Nearly 60 percent were in favor of establishing a Museum of the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. 

Lawmaker and the party’s vice-chair Brave Chan Yung said the results showed that many teenagers in the city are keen to protect their home and country despite joining the army not being a national requirement. 

Although in the short term, the wish cannot come true, Hong Kong can still serve the country in its own position, like completing the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law, Chan said. 

Chan also suggested teenagers can do more exercise and train their bodies harder since the physical requirements to join the PLA are much higher than joining the city’s disciplinary forces. 

Chan continued that building museums to introduce the history of the Chinese Communist Party and the nation’s developments and achievements can provide a proper venue for locals and overseas tourists to learn more relevant information. 

As for the controversial proposed site for the museum of national developments and achievements, lawmaker Nixie Lam Lam said what matters the most is how history is presented rather than which site is selected. 

Lam also called on the government to support TV stations in the city to cooperate with mainland media and produce dramas that can foster communication between locals and mainlanders.