PLA garrison in Macao SAR opens barracks to public

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison stationed in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) opened barracks on Taipa Island to the public on Thursday. 

The event, which will last until Saturday, is open to Macao university, middle and primary school students and Macao citizens, and is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors.

At the barracks, soldiers of the garrison staged military exercises, including bayonet, combatting, anti-terrorist operations, as well as use of unmanned equipment, winning applause and cheers from the visitors.

In addition, the garrison sets up a live broadcast of different military equipment firing on fixed targets at a field training site for visitors.

Also, the garrison prepared cultural performances showcasing the daily life of its officers and soldiers to visitors.

Visitors were also allowed to go into dormitories, classrooms and military exhibition halls to take a look at new military uniforms, taste military food, and talk with officers and soldiers. 

Many visitors took photos with military equipment as well.

This is the 19th time that the barracks have been opened to the public since 2005.  A total of about 160,000 Macao residents have visited the barracks.

This year, the barracks gave out visit tickets online, with an aim to attract more Macao compatriots to visit.

PLA garrison in Macao SAR opens barracks to public

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela