China's military staged its first parade in Hong Kong yesterday, with 3,000 soldiers marching crisply in formation as others rode in armored vehicles and helicopters, as part of efforts by Beijing to boost patriotism and soothe lingering political tensions.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) invited all of Hong Kong's pro-democracy lawmakers to the event at a barracks on the outskirts of town, and those who attended said they were impressed.
PHOTO: AP
"They are very well-trained and disciplined and leave us with a lasting impression," said Hong Kong's top opposition party leader, Yeung Sum (
Beijing's move was seen as a conciliatory gesture to politicians it viewed as troublemakers -- some of whom were barred from entering China -- but also one with a bit of a barb because the pro-democracy figures would seem a bit out of place standing at attention to watch the PLA march past.
LONG SHADOW
The pro-democracy figures hold annual candlelight vigils commemorating the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of unarmed people in a PLA crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Beijing in 1989.
Despite Beijing's apparent goodwill gesture, Yeung didn't think it was a breakthrough.
"This is just a ceremony and not real communication," Yeung said, adding that they didn't have a chance to talk with mainland officials at the event.
Yeung said he hopes the opposition can visit Beijing and discuss democracy with Chinese leaders after September's legislative elections.
Yesterday, the Chinese soldiers -- decked out in neat green uniforms and carrying rifles -- marched to mark the 77th anniversary of the PLA, which won control of China for Mao Zedong's (
The army has maintained a presence here since Britain handed Hong Kong back to China on July 1, 1997, but its troops generally stay in their barracks and keep an extremely low profile.
Their arrival seven years ago was greeted with suspicion by many Hong Kong people, who were shocked by the use of tanks and troops against the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in Beijing on June 4, 1989.
Still, yesterday's parade generated intense interest in Hong Kong. Cable TV reported that people began lining up before dawn to get a good vantage point.
Chinese officials say they staged the parade to enhance the relationship between the army and Hong Kong's people.
The parade "displays the army's strength and determination to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability," said Wang Jitang, commander of the PLA's Hong Kong garrison.
ELECTION FEARS
But it comes at a time when the Hong Kong and Beijing governments fear the outcome of September elections in which ordinary people will directly choose 30 of 60 legislative seats.
The voters are expected to side overwhelmingly with anti-government and pro-democracy candidates, which could spell political trouble for Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (
Hong Kong people are unhappy with Tung, who was picked by a pro-Beijing committee, but China ruled in April that residents cannot democratically choose his successor in 2007 or all lawmakers in 2008.
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