HK media: Parade boosts national pride

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) hold a military parade at the Shek Kong barracks Aug. 1, 2004, the first of its kind since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997.

A stream of comments on August 2 in Hong Kong media hailed the parade launched by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Shek Kong barracks on August 1. They said that the parade is of great significance to HKSAR, which returned to the motherland in 1997.

Wen Wei Po said in its comment that the open "Army Day" parade is a concentration of the perfect military quality, sophisticated weaponry, strict discipline and high morale of the PLA. It tells their powerful capability and firm resolution in maintaining the prosperity and stability of HKSAR and also boosts the HK people's understanding of and confidence in the PLA garrison in HKSAR, thus deepening their knowledge of the motherland and its forces.

The comment said the parade not only lets people see the advancement in the modernization of the PLA, but also enhances the understanding and ties between the garrison and HK residents. Hails and praises snowball. HK people, freed from worries about the PLA before the return, are admiring the garrison with hiking satisfaction and affection. This tells the success of the "One Country, Two Systems".

Parade to mark 77th founding anniversary of PLA

Hong Kong Commercial Daily held in its comment that the parade is a good way of national education. Due to historical reasons, Hong Kong people were not deeply implanted with the concept of nation and awareness of sovereignty. The parade showed the mighty-force-and-civilized-force image of PLA, which is conducive to strengthening the state concept among the local residents, better carrying out "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong", a high degree of autonomy and maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

The comment in Ta Kung Pao pointed out although the forces seldom have contact with local residents, they have always been working for HK. They have records in file on their strict discipline: no wrongdoing happened in the seven years, all the exercises

Parade to mark 77th founding anniversary of PLA

launched according to HK laws. Related survey shows a rising acceptance towards PLA among HK people.

Some other media said that, with such a people's army, the nation's reform and opening-up, modernization drive and "One Country, Two Systems" can be guaranteed. It is true that, through the excellent performances by the army, HK people greatly enriched their understanding of the motherland and their patriotism, and also deepened the recognition of "One Country, Two Systems".

By People's Daily Online