Hong Kong Garrison
 | This article has multiple issues.Please helpimprove itor discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
| People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison | |
|---|---|
| Trung quốc nhân dân giải phóng quân trú hương cảng bộ đội | |
 Sleeve insignia of PLA Ground Force units of the Hong Kong Garrison | |
| Founded | 1 July 1997 |
| Country |  People's Republic of China∟  Hong Kong |
| Allegiance |  Chinese Communist Party |
| Branch | |
| Size | 10,000 to 12,000[1] |
| Part of | Southern Theater Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building 22°16′54″N114°09′51″E/ 22.2817325°N 114.1641229°E |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Major GeneralPeng Jingtang |
| Political Commissar[3] | Major GeneralCai Yongzhong[2] |
| Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | Trung quốc nhân dân giải phóng quân trú hương cảng bộ đội | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | Trung quốc nhân dân giải phóng quân trú hương cảng bộ đội | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | China People Liberation Army stationing Hong Kong Troops | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
ThePeople's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrisonis a garrison of thePeople's Liberation Army(PLA), responsible for defence duties in theHong KongSpecial Administrative Region(SAR) since thehandover of Hong Kongin 1997.
The garrison is headquartered inChinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong BuildinginCentral, Hong Kong.The size of the Hong Kong garrison is approximately 10,000–12,000 personnel, including members of thePeople's Armed Police,People's Liberation Army Navy,People's Liberation Army Air Force,andPeople's Liberation Army Ground Force.[4]
Prior to the handover in 1997, the territory was underBritish rule,and the defence of the territory was the responsibility of theBritish Forces Overseas Hong Kong,with auxiliary help from theRoyal Hong Kong Regiment.
Role in Hong Kong
[edit]The People's Republic of China (PRC) assumed sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997 and theCentral People's Government(CPG) stationed agarrisonof the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Hong Kong to manage the defense affairs of the territory. While the garrison has been considered primarily symbolic of Beijing's governance over Hong Kong, it is nevertheless asserted to be a combat-ready force.[5]
TheBasic Lawupon the territory provides that the CPG shall be responsible for the defense of Hong Kong and shall bear the expenditure for the garrison, whereas the colonial Hong Kong Government before 1997 had to pay for the military. The Garrison Law, subsequently enacted by the National People's Congress, contains specific provisions on the duties and rules of discipline of the garrison personnel, jurisdiction and other questions, to facilitate the Hong Kong Garrison in fulfilling its defence functions along legal lines. Military forces stationed in Hong Kong shall not interfere in the local affairs and the Hong Kong government shall be responsible for the maintenance of public order. The Garrison formally stationed in Hong Kong assumed defence responsibility for Hong Kong from midnight onwards on 1 July 1997.
The Hong Kong Garrison includes elements of thePeople's Liberation Army Ground Force,PLA Navy,andPLA Air Force;these forces are under the direct leadership of theCentral Military Commissionin Beijing and under the administrative control of the adjacentSouthern Theater Command.
While performing its defense duties, the Hong Kong Garrison must abide by both national and Hong Kong laws, as well as the current rules and regulations of the PLA, according to theGarrison Law,a PRC law. After its entry into Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Garrison abide by the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, actively organizing military training. According to the Garrison Law, the Garrison established working contacts with theHong Kong Government,and opened the barracks onStonecutters IslandandStanleyto the public to promote Hong Kong people's understanding of and trust in the garrison forces and their personnel. Annual open house events are held to showcase the assets and combat readiness of the garrison personnel. Garrison troop rotations are also routine.[6][7]
In early 2022,Chairman of the Central Military CommissionXi Jinping,appointed Major GeneralPeng Jingtang,a formerPeople's Armed Policeparamilitary commander, to lead the PLA garrison in Hong Kong.[8]
Insignia
[edit]Personnel in the Hong Kong Garrison wore uniforms different from their mainland counterparts until a new set of uniforms were introduced in 2007. Motor vehicles in the military are right-hand drive, like civilian vehicles in Hong Kong, and carry number plates that start with ZG, standing forzhùgǎng (Trú cảng / trú cảng), Chinese for "[stationed] in Hong Kong."
Command
[edit]
The Hong Kong Garrison reports to both theSouthern Theater CommandandCentral Military Commissionin Beijing, and informsHong Kong Governmentof any actions within or around Hong Kong.
- Garrison Commanders
- Lt. GeneralLiu Zhenwu1997–1999 (appointed 1994)
- Lt. GeneralXiong Ziren1999–2003[9]
- Lt. GeneralWang Jitang2003–2007
- Lt. GeneralZhang Shibo2007–2012
- Lt. GeneralWang Xiaojun2012–2014
- Lt. GeneralTan Benhong2014–2019
- Maj. GeneralChen Daoxiang2019–2022
- Maj. GeneralPeng Jingtang2022–present
- Political Commissars
- Maj. GeneralXiong Ziren1997–1999
- Maj. GeneralWang Yufa1999–2003
- Maj. GeneralLiu Liangkai2003–2005
- Lt. GeneralZhang Rucheng2005–2007
- Lt. GeneralLiu Liangkai2007–2010, second term
- Lt. GeneralWang Zengbo2010–2012
- Lt. GeneralYue Shixin2012–2018
- Maj. GeneralCai Yongzhong2018–present
Properties
[edit]There are 19 sites occupied by the Garrison across Hong Kong. According to a Reuters investigation, many of these sites are run down and not fully utilised, which has caused some to argue that the land should be returned and used for housing.[10]TheTsing Shanfiring rangeoccupies approximately 80% of the 2,750 hectares of land managed by the PLA.[11][12]
A secret 20th site is a radar facility inTai Mo Shan,which was discovered in 2014, without the PLA informing the public, as required by the Garrison Law.[13]It was not publicly recognized by the Hong Kong government until 2021.[14]
The Commander lives onThe PeakatHeadquarters House,11 Barker Road. Other property owned by the Garrison includes theUnited Services Recreation Club.
Army
[edit]Regiments/Units
[edit]- Infantry Garrison Brigade (Air Assault) (Unit 53300)
- Formerly the 1st Red Regiment of 1st Red Division, 1st Red Army. In 1949, the regiment comprised the 424th Regiment, 142nd Division, 48th Army. In 1952, the 142nd Division was assigned to 55th Army and the 424th Regiment renamed the 430th Regiment. In 1970, the 144th Division was renamed as the 163rd Division and 430th Regiment renamed as 487th Regiment.
- PLA Hong Kong Garrison Honour Guard Battalion
- 3 infantry battalions (Air Assault/Heliborne)
- 1 mechanized infantry battalion
- 1artillery battery
- 1 engineer battalion
- 1 reconnaissance/special ops company (named 5-min Response Unit, some of them later transferred to theMacau Garrisonto form the a newQuick Reaction Platoonthere)
- 1 intelligence gathering battalion
- 1 Armour Convoy
- 1 Logistics Base, Shenzhen. (Unit 53310)[15]
- 1 Motor Transport Company, Shao Fei
Bases
[edit]Bases within Hong Kong are former British facilities namely from theBritish Army:
- Central Barracks–PLA Ground Force– formerlyHMSTamar
- Ching Yi To Barracks– formerly part ofVictoria Barracksand renamed from Queen's Lines Barracks
- Kowloon East Barracks– formerlyOsborn Barracks
- Stanley Barracks–PLA Ground Force– home of 5-min Response Unit
- Chek Chue Barracks
- Western Barracks – 88Bonham Road– formerly Bonham Tower Barracks
- Stonecutter Barracks–PLA Navy
- Shek Kong Airfield,Shek Kong Barracks–PLA Air Force.
- Northern Compound – formerly Borneo Lines
- Southern Compound – formerly Malaya Lines
- San Tin Barracks – formerly Cassino Lines
- Tam Mei Barracks – Ngau Tam Mei in Yuen Long
- Gallipoli Lines – Sha Tau Kok Road in Fanling, formerly San Wai Camp
- San Wai/Tai Ling Range
- Burma Lines - also known as Queen's Hill Camp
- Gun Club Hill BarracksKowloon – home to PLA Garrison Hospital
Equipment
[edit]| Model | Type | Number | Dates | Manufacturer | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 92 | 6 wheeledarmored personnel carrier | 21 | 1980s | Norinco | With 12.7mm machine gun |
| Type 56C | 7.62 mmassault rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| Type 88 | 5.8 mmsniper rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| CS/LR4 | 7.62 mmsniper rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| QBZ-191 | 5.8 mmautomatic assault rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| QBZ-95 | 5.8 mmautomatic assault rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| QBZ-03 | 5.8 mmautomatic assault rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| QCW-05 | submachine gun | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| Type 87 grenade launcher | grenade launcher | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| Type 95 Squad Machine Gun | Light machine gun | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| Type 92 pistol | pistol | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
| Jiefang CA-30 | utility truck | N/A | N/A | First Automobile Works,Changchun | |
| Dongfeng EQ2050 | Military light utility vehicle | N/A | 2010 | Chinese copy of HMMWV | |
| JH600 Duke | motorcycle | N/A | N/A | Jialing |
Navy
[edit]The naval presence in Hong Kong is a limited sub-station with a small flotilla of ships rotating from bases in themainland China:
Squadrons
[edit]- Squadron 38081 – anaval squadronof theSouth Sea Fleet
Bases
[edit]- Stonecutter's Island(Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base) – formerlyHMSTamar
- Tai O Barracks, Shek Tsai Po – formerly Naval Coastal Observation Station, Tai O
Fleet
[edit]Various ships of thePeople's Liberation Army Navyvisit the base, but only a few ships remain on semi-permanent basis.
| Class or name | Builder | Type | Quantity | Year Entered Service | Details | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 056 Jiangdao class | Huangpu Shipyard,Guangzhou,Guangdong | Corvette | 2 | 2013 | 596Huệ châu/Huizhou
597Khâm châu/Qinzhou
|
|
| Type 074-IIYuhai class | Wuhu ShipyardofWuhu,Anhui | Medium Landing Ship | 3 | 2017-8 | 3357, 3358, and 3359
Two 25 mmguns |
|
| Type 721 | Guangxi Guiyang shipyard | Light transport boat | 2 | 1990s | 42 meters long, 8.8 meters wide and 2.14 meters tall. It has a full displacement of 140 tons, a speed of 33 knots and a maximum range of 300 nautical miles. It can carry 70 people and 2 tons of materials. | 
|
Air Force
[edit]
Units
[edit]- 1helicopter squadron(PLAAF # 39968) at localShek Kong Airbase
- 1fighter squadronat Guangdong Airbase
Bases
[edit]PLA Hong Kong Garrison has three airbases, with two of these within Hong Kong:
- Shek Kong Airfield,Hong Kong
- Shadi Air Base,west ofGuangzhou,Guangdong
- Joint Movement Unit, Chek Lap Kok –Hong Kong International Airport,Hong Kong
Aircraft Inventory
[edit]| Aircraft | Country of Manufacture | Type | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harbin Z-9 | China | utility helicopter | 12 – atShek Kong Airfield | upgraded variant ofAS 565 PantherandSA 360 Dauphin 2 |
| Changhe Z-8KH | China | search and rescue helicopter | 4 – atShek Kong Airfield | Licensed version ofAérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Exclusive: China has doubled troop levels in Hong Kong, envoys estimate".Reuters.30 September 2019.
- ^"Chinese army promotes new political commissar at Hong Kong garrison".South China Morning Post.16 May 2018.Retrieved24 June2018.
- ^"Information Note: The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army"(PDF).Legislative Council Secretariat, Hong Kong.Retrieved21 January2018.para. 2.6.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: postscript (link) - ^"China quietly doubles troop levels in Hong Kong, envoys say".Reuters.30 September 2019.
- ^Gan, Nectar; Cheung, Tony (17 June 2017)."Hong Kong's PLA garrison no longer just symbolic, top brass say".South China Morning Post.
- ^Adam Taylor. (29 August 2019). "China's garrison in Hong Kong closely watches as protests churn on".Washington Post websiteRetrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^South China Morning Post Staff. (26 August 2021). "Hong Kong PLA garrison completes 24th annual troop rotation".Global Herald websiteRetrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^Reuters staff. (10 January 2022). "China names former paramilitary chief as HK garrison commander".Al Jazeera websiteRetrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^"New Commander of PLA Garrison in HK Appointed".
- ^"Hong Kong's underused military land a potential goldmine: but a minefield for government".Reuters.22 December 2017.Retrieved21 April2020.
- ^Chen, Frank (3 July 2018)."PLA urged to release land to combat HK's housing shortage".Asia Times.Retrieved21 April2020.
- ^"PLA land offers range of sites for housing".South China Morning Post.3 July 2018.Retrieved21 April2020.
- ^"LCQ9: Military sites".www.info.gov.hk.Retrieved25 May2020.
- ^"Bảo an cục thủ nhận đại mạo sơn giải phóng quân lôi đạt trạm chúc phòng vụ dụng đồ dụng ô thiết trí thông tấn trang trí (14:48) - 20210109 - cảng văn".Minh báo tân văn võng - tức thời tân văn instant news(in Traditional Chinese).Archivedfrom the original on 23 June 2021.Retrieved22 March2021.
- ^Trú hương cảng bộ đội ấu nhi viên.Retrieved14 January2019.
External links
[edit]
- Hong Kong GarrisononWeibo(in Chinese)(in Chinese)
- PLA in Hong Kong
- PLA in Hong Kong – China Defence[permanent dead link]
| General | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branches |
| ||||||||
| Arms |
| ||||||||
| Structure | |||||||||
| Ranks | |||||||||
| Uniform | |||||||||
| Institutions | |||||||||
| Publications | |||||||||
| Paramilitary | |||||||||
| Contractors | |||||||||
