The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison Troops in Hong Kong opened its three barracks on Saturday to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the founding of the new China.

More than 12,000 Hong Kong residents visited the military barracks in Stanley, Stonecutters Island and Skek Kong.

Hong Kong residents not only observed the national flag raising ceremony, visited military ships, helicopters, armored vehicles and the armament exhibition, but enjoyed the singing, dancing and acrobatic performances staged by the PLA soldiers and officers.

Many citizens said visiting the military barracks is a good chance for them to get first hand knowledge about the PLA and some of them got up at about 3:00 AM on Saturday morning to line up for the free entrance tickets to the military barracks.

A number of Hong Kong citizens took photos with the soldiers and military ships.

Li Zengqi, the highest rank officer at Stonecutters Island barracks, said in an interview with Xinhua that the PLA Garrison Troops in Hong Kong welcomed the visiting of Hong Kong residents, believing the visiting could enhance the Hong Kong citizens' understanding of the garrison troops.

He said Hong Kong citizens could learn something about the latest development of the PLA's military modernization drive and the strength of the national defense through the visiting of the military barracks.

It is the 12th time that the military barracks of the PLA Garrison Troops in Hong Kong have opened to the public and the military barracks have received about 210,000 visitors in the past eight years.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2005)