This Aug 25, 2021, photo shows a view of the garrison rotation ceremony in Hong Kong, south China. (PHOTO / Xinhua)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Wednesday completed the 24th rotation since it began garrisoning Hong Kong in 1997.

Approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the move is a routine annual rotation in line with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Garrisoning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The officers and soldiers leaving Hong Kong on rotation had successfully completed all tasks during their garrison in Hong Kong. On their departure, through the garrison's information office, they thanked all sectors of the Hong Kong society and the general public for their support during their stay in Hong Kong.

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Officers and soldiers wave goodbye to their comrades leaving Hong Kong on rotation in Hong Kong, south China, Aug 25, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The new personnel have been trained and carried out studies to master military skills to fulfill the duty of Hong Kong's defense before arriving at the garrison barracks.

They pledged to resolutely obey the command of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and the CMC Chairman Xi Jinping, strictly abide by the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Garrisoning the HKSAR and other HKSAR laws and effectively perform the defense duty of Hong Kong so as to make new and greater contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, maintaining Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability and ensuring the steady and sustained implementation of "one country, two systems."

Naval vessels prepare to dock in Hong Kong, south China, Aug 25, 2021. (PHOTO / XINHUA)