The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday mobilized some of its ground, naval and air forces to conduct a joint patrol, focusing on training the troops' combat capability of emergency response, joint operations, and special situation handling.
At around 08:00, naval vessels at the Ngong Shuen Chau barracks swiftly departed after receiving orders, while naval vessels already training at sea shifted into combat mode, sailing toward the designated operational area.
Simultaneously, two PLA Air Force helicopters took off from the Shek Kong barracks and headed for the designated airspace to conduct a joint patrol in coordination with the naval fleet.
At around 10:00, the command post issued orders to handle a simulated maritime emergency. The naval and aerial formation promptly rushed to the designated area to conduct search and rescue operations for individuals in the water and to transfer critically injured person to a local hospital.
"The simulated emergency operations comprehensively tested the naval and aerial formation's capabilities of coordinated command and emergency response, thereby enhancing training proficiency in subjects including combined sea-air domain command and control and joint maritime search and rescue operations," said Chen Yan, an officer of the garrison.
Meanwhile, mobile ground units conducted three-dimensional security patrols around key targets in designated areas, operating in coordination with Air Force helicopters.
With the coordination of helicopters, the ground units deployed unmanned equipment to conduct search operations in the simulated incident area, executing joint clearance missions against concealed targets.
During the joint patrol, the participating troops strictly complied with the laws and regulations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) regarding road use, navigation channels, and airspace management, and notified in advance the relevant departments of the HKSAR government.
"This joint patrol was conducted with combat-oriented training objectives and simulated scenarios for maritime and land emergency response. Through simulated emergency operations, we tested the troops' capabilities of command coordination, emergency decision-making, and joint operations, enhancing the garrison's capacity to respond to emergencies and perform diverse military tasks," said Feng Xiaolong, another officer of the garrison.
PLA garrison in Hong Kong organizes joint patrol
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
