A helicopter and its pilots dispatched from the Chinese mainland to replace part of the personnel and equipment of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison Troops in Hong Kong arrive in an airport in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004. The seventh turnover for the PLA Garrison Troops in Hong Kong, which was established on July 1, 1997 when China resumed exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, was successfully practiced on Thursday. There is no change of size of the troops and equipment after the replacement.

Wang Jitang (L), commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison Troops in Hongkong, shakes hands with outgoing soldiers in Hongkong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.

Soldiers dispatched from the Chinese mainland arrive at a navy base in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.

An outgoing unit participate in a replacement ceremony in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.

Chinese soldiers bid farewell to their outgoing colleagues in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.

Soldiers dispatched from the Chinese mainland arrive at a navy base in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.

A Chinese unit enters a port in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.

A Chinese naval unit enters a navy base in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2004.  (Xinhua Photo/Tao Ming) 
 

The Chinese People's Liberation Army garrison stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has conducted its annual troop rotation. It's the seventh time since it assumed Hong Kong's defense responsibility on July the 1st in 1997.

The annual People's Liberation Army rotation was going on at the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint on midnight Wednesday. Dozens of military vehicles of the ground troops rolled across into Hong Kong. Military helicopters will land at the Skek Kong Barracks in the morning.

The Navy rotation will be carried out at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base, with a missile escort vessel and patrol boat.

A spokesman for the troops said that the rotation was conducted in accordance with the Hong Kong SAR Garrison Law of the People's Republic of China. The size of the forces remains the same, both in personnel and weapons.

Senior PLA garrison officials say the new staff will continue to abide by the law and contribute to safeguarding the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Editor: Olivia