Original title: The Heart of Xiangjiang Guards (On the Road to Strong Army) – Written on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the entry of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army into Hong Kong
25 years ago, the Chinese nation ushered in a moment that shines in the annals of history——
On July 1, 1997, the People’s Republic of China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Since then, Hong Kong has embarked on a broad road of common development and inseparability with the motherland.
It was also on this day that the army, navy and air force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong set foot on the sacred land of Hong Kong and fulfilled its defense in accordance with the law.
The world has paid attention to it, and the motherland has placed great trust in it.
Five years ago, when President Xi Jinping inspected the Hong Kong garrison, he emphasized that the Hong Kong garrison is an important manifestation of national sovereignty, an important force in safeguarding “one country, two systems”, and an important cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. It is necessary to strengthen political awareness, political awareness, and overall awareness, and strengthen the responsibility for maintaining “one country, two systems”.
The original intention remains unchanged to protect Hong Kong, and the mission builds loyalty on the shoulders. The officers and soldiers of the Hong Kong Garrison resolutely implemented the spirit of the important instructions given by President Xi during his inspection of the Hong Kong Garrison, guided by the Party’s goal of strengthening the army in the new era, comprehensively strengthened all aspects of work from a new starting point, and resolutely fulfilled the sacred mission entrusted by the Party and the people. , and contribute to promoting the steady and long-term practice of “one country, two systems” and maintaining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.
“Let the red gene be truly integrated into the blood of every officer and soldier”
In the midsummer of Hong Kong, there are row upon row of high-rise buildings near Central, and blue waves are rippling on the sea.
After 25 years of returning to the motherland, the “Pearl of the Orient” is still prosperous; after 25 years of stationing in Hong Kong, the troops of the army are as confident as iron.
“As a unit of our army stationed under the conditions of ‘one country, two systems’, it must be particularly strong politically.” Lai Ruxin, political commissar of the Hong Kong Garrison, said that the Hong Kong Garrison always insists on raising the flag and casting the soul as the most important task, and insists on ideological Politically build and control the army, and constantly consolidate the ideological foundation that officers and soldiers listen to the party and follow the party, and ensure that the army is absolutely loyal, absolutely pure, and absolutely reliable.
At the theoretical study forum of a regiment of the Hong Kong Garrison, Lin Xu, a second-rank sergeant, talked about his perception of loyalty and mission, which resonated with his comrades–
“It was a day I will never forget: on June 30, 2017, at the military parade held in Shigang camp, 13 comrades and I, as the first row of pacesetters in the phalanx, honorably accepted the inspection by President Xi…” Memories From that exciting moment, Lin Xu’s excitement was beyond words, “After the military parade, I have strengthened my belief in following and following, and must be a good soldier who reassures the Party and President Xi!”
The spring breeze turns into rain, moistening things silently. A series of party lessons full of knowledge and outstanding interest make theoretical learning full of strong attraction and appeal, and the majority of officers and soldiers consciously participate in it.
At the Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center, officers and soldiers of the “Dadu Helian” held a special military soul training ceremony. The officers and soldiers lined up neatly, and the company commander Zuo Jianfeng called out the name of the “Seventeen Warriors of the Dadu River” loudly. “Now, the first stop for new cadres and new soldiers to enter Hong Kong is to ‘seek their roots’ here. The red gene must be truly integrated into the blood of every officer and soldier.” The relevant person in charge of the Political Work Department of the Hong Kong Garrison said.
Various forms of learning and education encourage officers and soldiers to absorb political nutrition from the party’s innovative theory and cultivate a solid foundation of loyalty.
Tai Mo Shan, a popular place for Hong Kong citizens to hike and climb mountains. In recent years, when tourists walk to the top of the mountain, they can see the striking red slogan in the Tai Mo Shan Barracks – “Listen to the Party and Follow the Party”.
This big red slogan is not only embedded in the buildings of the camp, but also deeply imprinted in the hearts of the officers and soldiers of the Hong Kong Garrison.
For the officers and soldiers stationed here, they can hardly feel the prosperity of the Hong Kong metropolis by being accompanied by the mountains and clouds all the year round, but in the hearts of the officers and soldiers, the mission of guarding Hong Kong is extremely noble.
At the duty station at Tai Mo Shan, 2nd Sergeant Li Ka Xu proudly said, “Many Hong Kong citizens have come to us in groups to take pictures and check in. I believe that the loyalty and belief of the people’s soldiers are the most beautiful scenery here.”
“It is necessary to step up the tempering, and develop the excellent skills that make a final decision and move it.”
“Shoot!” A round of artillery shells rushed out with flaming tongues, and the target was “sunk” in the intensive fire strike.
In May of this year, a certain sea area near Hong Kong was windy and rough. The Suqian and Jingmen ships of the Hong Kong garrison formed a formation to carry out multi-course practical training at sea, and comprehensively temper the troops’ ability to carry out missions and tasks in a complex battlefield environment.
“Chairman Xi stressed when he inspected the troops stationed in Hong Kong, ‘We must wait for the moment, stand unremittingly, make solid preparations for military struggles, and play the role of stabilizing the sea’.” Peng Jingtang, commander of the Hong Kong garrison, said that to undertake this sacred mission, we must strengthen our sense of urgency and the bottom line. Thinking, advance preparations for military struggles based on the most difficult and complex situations, and continuously improve the ability to perform defense, so as to be able to fight when called upon, and to win the battle.
According to reports, in recent years, the Hong Kong Garrison has closely focused on the missions and responsibilities entrusted by the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Garrison Law, paid close attention to the building of its combat effectiveness, and made great efforts to forge an excellent force that will reassure the party and the people and be trusted by Hong Kong compatriots.
One morning in June, the alarm went off. An actual combat maneuver exercise was carried out simultaneously in several camps such as Stonecutters Island, Xinwei, Shigang, etc. A regiment of infantry, communications, medical services and other professional officers and soldiers of a certain regiment of the Hong Kong garrison were fully armed and dispatched urgently.
In this exercise, the guidance team adopted the method of situational induction to set up various dangerous and difficult battlefield environments. Facing the test of 13 subjects, the officers and soldiers were well-trained, saw the tricks, and successfully completed the drill tasks. This is a microcosm of the Hong Kong garrison’s full-time preparation and full-time combat readiness.
As a force jointly organized by the three armed forces, the Hong Kong Garrison closely follows the pace of reforming and strengthening the army, and insists that the land, sea and air forces “train together and fight together”.
At the end of last year, a joint patrol of the army, navy and air force was launched. In the joint command post of the Hong Kong Garrison, various elements such as command, communication, reconnaissance, and intelligence are comprehensively integrated. With the command post’s order, the army’s mobile echelon completed the emergency dispatch, the naval ships completed the patrolling and deployment of troops, and the air force helicopter took off quickly, and the mission was carried out quickly and effectively.
“Faced with the mountain-like mission of ‘Ding Hai Shenzhen’, we must step up the tempering, and develop a strong ability to make a final call and move it.” The relevant person in charge of the General Staff Department of the Hong Kong Garrison said that the officers and soldiers of the Garrison focus on the defense mission and treat each training as a As a valuable opportunity for the leap in combat effectiveness, in the actual combat training, the hard-core strength that can fight and win battles is constantly tempered.
In recent years, the garrison in Hong Kong has set its sights on further platforms for military training and preparations. Every year, it organizes and participates in a series of actual military exercises such as “Southern” and “Blue Shield”. training and joint drills with visiting foreign warships, and the road to forging soldiers is getting wider and wider.
“From the encouragement of Hong Kong compatriots, I feel genuine praise and sincere trust”
In a camp of the Hong Kong Garrison, a road that is not very wide crosses. According to relevant regulations, Hong Kong citizens and vehicles can pass through only after registration. Therefore, there are often citizens driving by the team out of the exercise.
“Staffing here, I often see passing Hong Kong citizens give thumbs up and praise for our strict military discipline and strict military appearance.” Yu Zibin, a company commander, said, “From the encouragement of Hong Kong compatriots, I feel genuine praise and sincerity. trust.”
Over the past 25 years, the garrison in Hong Kong has always regarded governing the army in accordance with the law and strictly governing the army as an important guarantee for fulfilling its mission, and it has always regarded loving Hong Kong, closeness to the people, and a mighty civilization as its unchanging qualities. The hearts of the army and the people are getting closer and closer, and the love for Hong Kong and the people is deeply rooted.
“The long road to revival, the national soul shines brightly. For thousands of years, generations of Chinese sons and daughters have forged ahead and passed down the fire…” In the “Chinese Dream” exhibition hall of the Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center, the vivid explanation of the narrator Tang Minghui made the visitors listen to Have relish.
On July 8, 2021, the Hong Kong Garrison Exhibition Center was officially completed and opened at Stonecutters Island Barracks. This themed exhibition titled “Dream of the East” tells the history of the party, the country, the military and the development of the Hong Kong garrison. It has become a new red cultural landmark on the banks of the Hong Kong River.
“I’m really proud to have learned so much history. I hope I can go to the mainland to study at a university in the future and contribute to the development of the motherland.” After visiting the exhibition, a student from Peiqiao Middle School in Hong Kong said excitedly.
Heart-warming, heart-to-heart. In September 2018, a super typhoon swept through Hong Kong. After receiving the order, the officers and soldiers of a brigade of the Hong Kong garrison rushed to help the severely affected country park. After arriving, the officers and soldiers were startled by the scene in front of them: the mountain road was in a mess, the twigs and leaves were everywhere, and many trees were blown down and directly in the middle of the road…
“In front of the soldiers, there is no ‘impossible’.” The then company commander Zhang Shiren gave a decisive order to quickly assign tasks, and the soldiers acted promptly to clean up the broken branches, reinforce the slopes, and clear the road. With the joint efforts of the company officers and soldiers and volunteers, the road section that was expected to take 3 days to be cleaned was completely cleaned in just one day. A Hong Kong citizen said with emotion: “The style of the People’s Liberation Army is admirable, and it is worthy of being a soldier of the people’s children.”
Over the past 25 years, from actively organizing activities such as voluntary tree planting, condolences to the elderly, mutual visits and friendship, to the development of military summer camps for Hong Kong youth, military life experience camps for Hong Kong college students, national defense education on campus, large-scale cultural evenings… Feelings guard prosperity, resist wind and rain with strong arms, let warmth flow in the hearts of Hong Kong citizens, and have won high praise from compatriots.
In January of this year, at the military terminal in the Central District of Hong Kong, the leading organs of the Hong Kong garrison and representatives of the army, navy and air force lined up neatly and solemnly, and a flag-raising ceremony was held here. The bright five-star red flag is slowly rising and fluttering in the wind, dancing on the banks of the Hong Kong River, indicating that Hong Kong is about to usher in a more vibrant and dazzling spring.
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the 25th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army stationed in Hong Kong. We express our best wishes and the most loyal oath to the motherland and people by raising the national flag.” Under the national flag, a regiment commander Wang Haixu was excited “Please rest assured the party and the people that we will keep our mission firmly in mind, resolutely guard the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ of the motherland, and resolutely safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong!”
(Jiang Bossi and Tang Shuangshan participated in the collection and writing)
[Editor in charge: Xu Dan]