Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor addresses a ceremony to mark the handover of the Central Military Dock to the People’s Liberation Army's Hong Kong Garrison on Sept 29, 2020. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – A 150-meter-long dock in Hong Kong’s Central has finally been handed over to People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s Hong Kong Garrison on Tuesday with the city’s leader declaring the handover “historic”.

Addressing the handover ceremony, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the transfer signified the special administrative region (SAR) government had fulfilled its responsibilities as the Central Military Dock on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island was the last military facility that needed to be re-provisioned for use by the PLA.

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I am most delighted that the construction of the Military Dock, the amendments to the statutory plan, and the legislative work were finally completed and the Military Dock is handed over to the Garrison today.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of HKSAR

The dock was built on the land reclaimed under Central Reclamation Phase III which started in February 2003. After more than a decade of planning, Hong Kong’s Town Planning Board decided in 2014 to convert the 3,000-square-meter promenade into a military area.

Lam’s administration approved the board’s proposal early last year and the amendments to the relevant subsidiary legislation came into effect on June 29 last year through negative vetting.

“I am most delighted that the construction of the Military Dock, the amendments to the statutory plan, and the legislative work were finally completed and the Military Dock is handed over to the Garrison today,” said Lam.

According to the government, the Hong Kong Garrison has agreed to consider opening the Military Dock on a discretionary basis to allow the public to enter its non-restricted area, given that there will be no defense implication.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (left) exchanges a Memorandum on the Handover of the Central Military Dock with Major General Chen Daoxiang, the commander-in-chief of the People’s Liberation Army's Hong Kong Garrison, during a ceremony to mark the handover of the Central Military Dock on Sept 29, 2020. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Movable gates have been installed on the three sides of the dock so that the gates may be opened for residents to walk through. The waterfront promenade will remain accessible, and when the dock is closed, pedestrians may continue to use the waterfront park using the walkways.

Two personnel of the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison stand guard at the Central Military Dock in Central, Hong Kong, on Sept 29, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

“After handing over, the Military Dock will be managed by the Hong Kong Garrison and its future opening arrangements are subject to the management decision of the Hong Kong Garrison having regard to its defense operations. The HKSAR government respects the Hong Kong Garrison’s decision and will provide support when needed,” said Lam.

Contact the writer at jefferygu@chinadailyhk.com