A group of distinguished guests from the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) paid a visit on November 19 to the barracks of the troops who will be deployed in Macao after it returns to China on December 20.

The troops of the Macao SAR Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army are currently headquartered in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, which borders Macao.

The more than 300 visitors included members of the Macao SAR Preparatory Committee and Selection Committee, Macao deputies to the National People's Congress, and Macao members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

They reviewed a 115-member guard of honor and then watched as soldiers presented martial exercises and art performances. Many of the visitors marveled at the excellent skills of the soldiers.

They also showed interest in the barracks buildings which are a mixture of traditional Chinese style and modern architecture. Hearing that the barracks compound was built in only 203 days, one of the guests said, "The army has always been known for its speediness and I believe the Macao Garrison troops will succeed in any fast-response maneuvers."

Later, the guests visited the troops' auditorium and then the canteen, which can accommodate 400 people at one meal. More than 100 kinds of dishes and snacks there drew the visitors' attention.

The Macao Garrison's officers and soldiers left a deep impression on the guests during their stay there.

The visitors agreed that there are many gifted people among the garrison troops. "All of them are polite, obedient and well-bred," one of them said. "What's more, they are well-informed on the laws, history and life-style of Macao."

They all were of the opinion that the garrison troops will be capable of taking up their duties and safeguarding the stability and development of Macao.