Key facts
- The PLA Hong Kong Garrison opened three barracks to the public to mark the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule.
- The Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks hosted an open day on June 20-21, with other barracks opening on June 27-28.
- Activities included military training demonstrations, equipment displays, and interactive experiences like simulated shooting.
- A total of 25,000 free tickets were available via the garrison's WeChat account, requiring real-name booking.
- Visitors could board naval vessels and inspect armored vehicles.
Thousands of residents visited People's Liberation Army (PLA) barracks in Hong Kong to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the city's return to Chinese rule. The PLA Hong Kong Garrison opened three of its facilities—Ngong Shuen Chau, Shek Kong, and San Wai—to the public over two weekends.
The Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks, a naval base, opened first on June 20-21, drawing large crowds eager to explore. Visitors were able to board naval vessels, inspect armored vehicles, and witness military training demonstrations, including helicopter rescue exercises. An interactive area offered experiences such as pipe bandaging, shooting simulations, and knotting.
To manage the influx, 25,000 free tickets were made available through the garrison's official WeChat account, requiring real-name booking. Families, students, and tourists were among the attendees, with some expressing excitement about learning about the country's military achievements. Children aged 11 and below did not require tickets but needed to be accompanied by a booked adult.
The open days are part of an annual tradition to foster understanding and connection between the garrison and the Hong Kong public.