The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison Troops, upon their arrival at their temporary barracks at the Longcheng Mansion in downtown Macao, have started to carry out defense duties.

At the barracks, armed soldiers are standing sentry, while the headquarters staff are busy making signs on electronic maps and

issuing assignments. Other officers and soldiers, while busy settling down in the new barracks, are shining their weapons.

"The garrison troops in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) are required to take up defense duties upon arrival in Macao in accordance with the Macao SAR Basic Law and the Garrison Law," says Liu Yuejun, commander of the garrison troops.

In the afternoon, the officers and troops are gathered to learn about a decree signed earlier by Chinese president Jiang Zemin ordering the garrison troops to be stationed in MSAR. It is a shared wish of all the officers and soldiers to follow the order of President Jiang Zemin, carry out their defense duties well and live up to the expectations of their motherland and the Chinese people.

A crowd of Macao people are gathered before the barracks to have a look at the garrison troops.