PLA troops in HK determined to protect security, garrison commander says

Chinese military officers and soldiers in the garrison in Hong Kong have the determination and ability to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and the long-term prosperity and security for the city, the garrison’s commander said.

Major General Chen Daoxiang, in an interview with Chinese state television, said the garrison firmly supports the Chinese legislature's new Hong Kong security legislation.

Chen is  also a deputy to the National People's Congress. He said the PLA Garrison firmly supports the draft decision of the NPC on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for Hong Kong.

Chen was appointed by the Central Military Commission to lead the Chinese People's Liberation Army  Garrison in the Hong Kong on  April last year.

He was former deputy chief of staff of the Southern Theatre Command. At the time also he pledged to lead the PLA Garrison in the HKSAR in fulfilling its defence duties assigned by the Basic Law and the HKSAR Garrison Law of China, "in resolutely safeguarding the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country, and in protecting the security, prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,'' Xinhua reported.

In his first public statement on the Hong Kong unrest, in August 1, 2019: Chen said: "We resolutely support the action to maintain Hong Kong’s rule of law by the people who love the nation and the city, and we are determined to protect national sovereignty, security, stability and the prosperity of Hong Kong."  He made the comments during a reception in Hong Kong to mark the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the PLA, on August 1.

He said  violent acts had touched the bottom line of the "one country, two systems" principle and are "totally intolerable," Chen said.-Reuters/Xinhua/CGTN