With respect and love for the troops of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) stationed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), over 10,000 people of Hong Kong visited the PLA barracks in Stanley, Stonecutter Island and Shek Kong Sunday.

Since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland in 1997, the PLA barracks are open to the public every year to help local people better understand the life of the PLA soldiers and officers stationed in Hong Kong.

Many people visited the PLA barracks with their families. Some senior citizens even came with the help of stick and accompanied by their grandchildren.

A spokesman of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison said all the 11,000 tickets of visiting the three PLA barracks this year had been sent out early, and the PLA barracks would receive over 10,000 visitors Sunday.

At the Stanley barracks, the visitors watched the cooking performance by the PLA chefs and tasted the food made by them.

The light weapon displayed on the playground drew a large number of visitors, especially the young people.

Meanwhile, a football friendship match was held between the PLA troops and Hong Kong police at Stanley, with cheers burst from the audience from time to time.

During the break of the match, the PLA troops performed martial arts and won applause from the audience.

Inside the barracks, many visitors volunteered to have pictures taken with the soldiers. All the barracks were filled with a jubilant atmosphere.

After visiting the PLA barracks, many Hong Kong people said they really enjoy the visit which has broadened their vision. The PLA barracks has become a good place for Hong Kong people to visit in the public holiday.

(Xinhua News Agency October 7, 2002)