[Video] Chinese drill performed by five disciplined services academies

The five disciplined services academies demonstrated People’s Liberation Army style marching instead of traditional British drills. 

The five academies opened today as part of the National Security Education Day. 

At the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang, the “goose-stepping” foot drill was performed alongside the counter-terrorism exercise. The leader commanded the squad in Cantonese instead of English and the band performed songs including the latest police theme song “Protect Hong Kong”. 

Officers then chanted slogans like “Uphold national security with loyalty, protect the city with bravery”. Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung will visit the college in the afternoon. 

The “goose-stepping” foot drill was also performed at Hong Kong Customs College, after the flag raising ceremony, with the squad commander giving orders in Putonghua. 

Commissioner of Customs Hermes Tang Yi-hoi thanked the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong garrison for their training. He believed trainees’ performance would be improved after further training and it would become a more attractive event under the marching category. 

Hermes Tang added that although law enforcement is a crucial part in upholding national security, educating the public to understand national security is elemental. 

He believed with the electoral reform, stringent law enforcement and national security education, the city will be well managed and safe, and the “One Country, Two Systems” principle will also be protected. 

The Correctional Services Department also had squads performing “goose-stepping” foot drill. Assistant Commissioner Wong Kwok-hing hoped the open day could allow citizens to understand the role of Correctional Services when engaging in national security. 

Wong said they have invited PLA HK garrison for training since early in the year. Training of the Chinese drill would be imposed gradually, according to Wong 

One of the officers surnamed Lau, said the drill requires balance and he spent a lot of time to adjust his posture in training to strengthen his body’s memory. 

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu earlier said drills in PLA-style will be performed on the open day of the five disciplined services colleges, as to amplify care for the country and strengthen awareness of national security. 

Apart from the three aforesaid academies, Fire and Ambulance Services Academy and Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development also opened today.