'Let Hongkongers join PLA'

More than 60 percent of residents support the idea of allowing Hongkongers to join the People's Liberation Army, a survey by the city's largest pro-establishment party has found.

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong conducted the poll between January 4 and 31, involving 697 respondents aged 12 or above. Out of the participants, 73 percent expressed the belief that Hongkongers should have more opportunities to gain a better understanding of the PLA while 62 percent supported the idea of Hong Kong residents joining the army.

DAB vice chairman Brave Chan Yung, who is also a Hong Kong deputy of the National People's Congress, said there are devoted youth who have a desire to protect the country. "The central government recognizes the patriotic spirit of Hongkongers," he said.

But Chan said it would be challenging to "implement this arrangement under the framework of the One Country, Two Systems principle."

"There are many considerations that need to be addressed in the short term," he said.

The survey found that over half of the respondents claimed to have a deep or familiar understanding of the country. Meanwhile, more than 60 percent of the respondents were satisfied with government efforts in promoting public understanding of the country in the past year.

According to Chan, Hongkongers also possess a certain level of understanding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with 64.7 percent of respondents acknowledging July 1 as the founding day of the CCP.

The overall results of the survey showed most citizens agree that the government should implement more measures to enhance public understanding of the country, Chan added.

He called for the establishment of a museum dedicated to the Chinese Communist Party, as well as a national achievement museum, as "a means to counter the negative portrayal of the country by the United States, other Western countries, and the media."

"These museums would serve as appropriate venues for both local residents and overseas tourists to gain a proper understanding of the CCP," he said.

Lawmaker Nixie Lam stressed the importance of supporting community organizations and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison in organizing cooperative youth military training.

"The Education Bureau and Home and Youth Affairs Bureau should collaborate with schools and youth uniform groups to enable students to learn and practice the Chinese-style foot drill," he said.