Macao Garrison
People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison | |
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中國人民解放軍駐澳門部隊 Guarnição em Macau do Exército de Libertação do Povo Chinês | |
Emblem of the People's Liberation Army | |
Founded | December 20, 1999 |
Service branches |
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Headquarters |
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Leadership | |
Political Commissar | Maj Gen Zhou Wugang[1] |
Commander | Maj Gen Liao Zhengrong[2] |
Manpower | |
Active personnel | 1000 |
Macao Garrison | |||||||||||
Chinese name | |||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 中國人民解放軍駐澳門部隊 | ||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 中国人民解放军驻澳门部队 | ||||||||||
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Portuguese name | |||||||||||
Portuguese | Guarnição em Macau do Exército de Libertação do Povo Chinês |
The People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison[lower-alpha 1] is the defence force stationed in Macau since December 20, 1999. It has been the responsibility of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), which stations between 500-600 troops in Macau, primarily as a symbolic presence to underscore Chinese sovereignty.
The remainder of the 1,200-strong Macau garrison resides just across the Chinese border in Zhuhai. Although the Basic Law states that the Macau SAR government may "when necessary" ask the central government to allow the garrison to assist in maintaining public order or disaster relief, Chief Executive Ho has said that, in keeping with the Basic Law the garrison will play no role in internal security. The garrison has maintained a low profile, with soldiers generally wearing civilian clothing when off base and not engaging in business activities.
Mission
According to the Law on Stationing Troops in the Macau Special Administrative Region (or Macao Garrison Law, passed by the NPC Standing Committee on June 28, 1999), the mission of the PLA in Macau is to defend the special administrative region by "preventing and resisting aggression; safe-guarding the security of Macau; undertaking defence services; managing military facilities; and handling related foreign military affairs." The PLA can also be called upon by the chief executive to help maintain public order and assist with disaster relief efforts. The members of the garrison are mainly ground force troops.
2017 Typhoon Hato
At the request of Macau SAR Government, the PLA Macao Garrison was deployed to assist in disaster relief and cleaning up in the aftermath of Typhoon Hato in August 2017, the first time for domestic affairs in Macau history.[4] About 1,000 troops were called in to help remove debris and clear roads.[5]
Organization
The PLA Macao Garrison is under the command and control of the Central Military Commission and under the operational supervision of the Southern Theater Command, and its budget is administered by the central government in Beijing. A PLA major general heads the Macao Garrison.
Troops
- 1 motorised infantry
- 1 armored company
Equipment
Model | Type | Number | Dates | Builder | Details |
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ZFB91 | 6 wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (Internal Security/Anti-Riot Vehicle) | 10 | 1980s | Norinco | with 12.7mm machine gun |
BJ2020S | utility vehicle | N/A | N/A | Beijing-Jeep | variant of Soviet UAZ469B |
EQ2102 | Troop/Cargo Carrier Truck | N/A | N/A | Dongfeng Motor Corporation | |
EQ2081/2100 | Utility Truck | N/A | N/A | Dongfeng Motor Corporation | (formerly EQ240 and likely Chinese variants of the Zil 131) and other support vehicles |
Type 88 Sniper Rifle | rifle | N/A | N/A | Norinco | |
QBZ-95 | rifle | N/A | N/A |
Bases
The garrison was temporarily stationed at the 11 storey Edificação Long Cheng/Long Cheng Mansion. It is now stationed on Taipa Island located amongst the new casinos in Cotai Strip (Estrada da Baía de Nossa Sra. da Esperança across from Hotel Venetian and Galaxy Macau).
There are more troops at the barracks in Zhuhai (Zhengling).
Notes
See also
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to People's Liberation Army Macau Garrison. |
- ↑ "Contribute to national development, ensuring Macao's prosperity". Government Information Bureau. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
- ↑ "PLA garrison gets new commander". The Macau Post Daily. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
- ↑ "PLA Macao Garrison holds 15th open day". China Military. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
- ↑ Yeung, Raymond; Carvelho, Raquel. "Up to 10 people feared trapped in flooded underground car parks after Typhoon Hato devastates Macau". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2017-08-27.
- ↑ "PLA garrison's relief efforts widely praised after typhoon hits Macao". Global Times. August 27, 2017.