Wikipedia

Macao Garrison

The People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison[note 1] is a garrison of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), responsible for defense duties in the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) since the sovereignty of Macau was transferred to China in 1999.

People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison
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
Founded20 December 1999; 24 years ago (1999-12-20)
Country China
∟  Macau
Allegiance Chinese Communist Party
Branch
Size1,000
Part ofSouthern Theater Command
Garrison/HQMacau
Commanders
CommanderMajor General Xu Liangcai[1]
Political commissarMajor General Zhou Wugang[2]
Chinese People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison
Chinese name
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
Literal meaningChina People Liberation Army stationing Àomén Troops
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Zhù Àomén Bùduì
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingzung1 gwok3 jan4 man4 gaai2 fong3 gwan1 zyu3 ou3 mun4*2 bou6 deoi6*2
Portuguese name
PortugueseGuarnição em Macau do Exército de Libertação do Povo Chinês

The PLA stations between 500 and 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 Macao 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 Edmund 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

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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 defense 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

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PLA Macau Garrison troops cleaning Macau streets after 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

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People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison headquarters

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.

Garrison Commanders
Political Commissars

Troops

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Equipment

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Model Type Number Dates Builder Details
ZFB91 6 wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (Internal Security/Anti-Riot Vehicle) 10 1980s Norinco   People's Republic of China with 12.7mm machine gun
BJ2020S utility vehicle N/A N/A Beijing-Jeep   People's Republic of China variant of Soviet UAZ469B
EQ2102 Troop/Cargo Carrier Truck N/A N/A Dongfeng Motor Corporation   People's Republic of China
EQ2081/2100 Utility Truck N/A N/A Dongfeng Motor Corporation   People's Republic of China (formerly EQ240 and likely Chinese variants of the Zil 131) and other support vehicles
Type 88 Sniper Rifle designated marksman rifle N/A N/A Norinco   People's Republic of China
QBZ-95 assault rifle N/A N/A   People's Republic of China

Bases

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The garrison was temporarily stationed at the 11 storey Edificação Long Cheng/Long Cheng Mansion. It is now stationed on Taipa located amongst the new casinos in Cotai (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).

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The English name of the garrison follows the English name of the city instead of the Portuguese name, therefore it should be "Macao".[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Commander of the People's Liberation Army in Macao: Xu Liangcai takes over Liao Zhengrong". bestchinanews. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Contribute to national development, ensuring Macao's prosperity". Government Information Bureau. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  3. ^ "PLA Macao Garrison holds 15th open day". China Military. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "PLA garrison aids relief after typhoon hits Macao[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
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