Hong Kong’s top officials visited the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base on Saturday to attend a reception celebrating Army Day, hailing the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison’s role of safeguarding the special administrative region’s stability.

This year marks the 99th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army.

In his speech, Lai Ruxin, political commissar of the Hong Kong Garrison, said over the past 29 years, the garrison had resolutely implemented the policy of “one country, two systems”, strictly fulfilled its defense duties in accordance with the Basic Law and the Garrison Law, firmly supported the SAR government in exercising its governance in accordance with the law.

The garrison guards the tranquility of the city with absolute loyalty, and has earned high praise from Hong Kong compatriots, Lai said.

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He said as the nation is advancing the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the Hong Kong SAR, which is at a critical stage of moving from stability to prosperity, will also enter the 30th year after its return to the motherland.

All the officers and soldiers of the garrison will resolutely follow the command of the Party, continue the glorious traditions, focus on training and combat readiness, strengthen defense capabilities and be always ready to make new contributions to maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong SAR, he said.

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said since Hong Kong’s return to motherland in 1997, the Hong Kong Garrison has always served as a steadfast backbone in safeguarding the region's security and social stability, unwaveringly supporting the government on law-abiding governance.

The garrison has won wide recognition across Hong Kong society, Lee said, adding that the annual military camp open day has become a highly popular event, with cumulative visits exceeding 900,000.

HKSAR Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung expressed gratitude to the garrison for its continuous efforts in maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Zhou Ji, executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR; Dong Jingwei, head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; and Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, also attended the reception.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com