A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) general said in Macao on November 20 that it will be necessary to station troops in Macao when the territory is returned to China on December 20.

Major General Liu Yuejun, commander of the newly-established PLA garrison troops for the Macao Special Administrative Region ( SAR), said at the military unit's first press conference that "it is necessary to station a proper number of skilled and capable troops in the region to enforce the Sino-Portuguese Declaration and the Basic Law of the Macao SAR."

This move is a symbol of China's resumption of sovereignty over Macao and a need for the Central Government to effectively manage Macao's defense, he said, adding that it will also help maintain the region's social stability and economic development after it returns to the motherland.

He noted that the troop's basic task is to take charge of the defensive affairs of the Macao SAR. In addition, according to the Garrison Law of the Macao SAR, ordered by the Central Military Commission, the troops can assist the Macao government in maintaining social security and conducting disaster relief operations when the Macao SAR government has appealed to and won approval from the central government.

He said that the troops stationed in Macao are mainly a contingent of the infantry army, with a small number of naval and air force officers.

The troops will be equipped with all necessary weapons, mainly light weapons, to fulfill their mission, according to the general.

Major General He Xianshu, political commissar of the Macao SAR garrison troops, these men and officers are selected based on PLA army units which have enjoyed historical success, including the army unit established in the early stage of the Red Army in the late 1920s, and troops participating in the War of Resistance against Japan between 1937-45, in the Liberation War against the Kuomintang, and in the War to Resist US Aggression and Assist Korea in the 1950s.

Some members are from the Hong Kong SAR garrison troops, he added, and some participated in the flood-fighting campaign of 1998.

He said that all the officers and soldiers are selected from active PLA military service rosters in accordance with China's conscription regulations. They are of good professional and moral quality, and have a passion for the motherland as well as for the Macao SAR, he said.

In addition, every officer and soldier has a sound educational background, he said, adding that the officers are all college graduates or above and soldiers graduates of senior middle schools or higher.

They are also in excellent physical condition, and the requirement for their height is over 1.7 meters for men and 1.65 meters for women.

In order to successfully execute their duties in Macao, said the commissar, the troops are undergoing strict training and educational courses. They are studying the Macao SAR Basic Law, the Garrison Law, the Chinese government's policies regarding Macao, and other laws and information concerning Macao.

On how the troops will enter Macao, Major General Liu said it will be decided according to the actual situation. It will be convenient for the troops to enter quickly by land in the case of Macao, he added.

According to the Basic Law, the Macao SAR government will be responsible for the region's social security. However, if there is a riot that surpasses the SAR government's capability to control, the Macao garrison troops will act strictly according to the Garrison Law which prescribes explicitly their duties and tasks, the general explained. (Xinhua)