The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) held a reception Tuesday to mark the army's 79th founding anniversary.

MSAR Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah; Ma Man Kei, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Bai Zhijian, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the MSAR; and Wan Yongxiang, special commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in the MSAR, attended the celebration.

Around 200 guests from all walks of life in Macao were also present at the reception.

Commander of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in Macao Liu Lianhua addressed the ceremony and pledged to stick to the basic policy of "one country, two systems" to help maintain the special administrative region's stability and prosperity.

Ho Hau Wah also delivered a speech praising the army's dedication to the MSAR.

(Xinhua News Agency August 2, 2006)