Macao Garrison

Template:Infobox military unit Template:Chinese

The People's Liberation Army Macao GarrisonTemplate:NoteTag is a garrison of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), responsible for defense duties in the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) since the sovereignty of Macau was transferred to China in 1999.

The PLA stations between 500 and 600 troops in Macau, primarily as a symbolic presence to underscore Chinese sovereignty. The remainder of the 1,200-strong Macau garrison resides just across the Chinese border in Zhuhai.

Although the Macao Basic Law states that the Macau SAR government may "when necessary" ask the central government to allow the garrison to assist in maintaining public order or disaster relief, Chief Executive Edmund Ho has said that, in keeping with the Basic Law the garrison will play no role in internal security. The garrison has maintained a low profile, with soldiers generally wearing civilian clothing when off base and not engaging in business activities.

MissionEdit

According to the Law on Stationing Troops in the Macau Special Administrative Region (or Macao Garrison Law, passed by the NPC Standing Committee on June 28, 1999), the mission of the PLA in Macau is to defend the special administrative region by "preventing and resisting aggression; safe-guarding the security of Macau; undertaking defense services; managing military facilities; and handling related foreign military affairs." The PLA can also be called upon by the chief executive to help maintain public order and assist with disaster relief efforts. The members of the garrison are mainly ground force troops.

2017 Typhoon HatoEdit

File:Typhoon-Hato-in-Macao 20170825-131216.jpg

PLA Macau Garrison troops cleaning Macau streets after Typhoon Hato.

At the request of Macau SAR Government, the PLA Macao Garrison was deployed to assist in disaster relief and cleaning up in the aftermath of Typhoon Hato in August 2017, the first time for domestic affairs in Macau history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> About 1,000 troops were called in to help remove debris and clear roads.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

OrganizationEdit

File:Edifício de Sede do Guarnição em Macau do Exército de Libertação do Povo Chinês.JPG

People's Liberation Army Macao Garrison headquarters

The PLA Macao Garrison is under the command and control of the Central Military Commission and under the operational supervision of the Southern Theater Command, and its budget is administered by the central government in Beijing. A PLA major general heads the Macao Garrison.

Garrison Commanders

Maj. General Liu Yuejun 1999–2002
Maj. General Liu Lianhua 2002–2008
Maj. General Wang Yuren 2008–2010
Maj. General Zhu Qingsheng 2010–2014
Maj. General Wang Wen 2014–2018
Maj. General Liao Zhengrong 2018
Maj. General Xu Liangcai 2019–2023
Maj. General Yu Changjiang 2023–present

Political Commissars

Maj. General He Xianshu 1999–2001
Maj. General Liu Liangkai 2001–2003
Maj. General Yang Zhongmin 2003–2006
Maj. General Li Wenchao 2006–2007
Maj. General Zhao Cunsheng 2007–2008
Maj. General Xu Jinlin 2008–2013
Maj. General Ma Biqiang 2013–2014
Maj. General Zhang Zhimeng 2014–2017
Maj. General Zhou Wugang 2017–present

TroopsEdit

1 motorized infantry
1 armoured company

EquipmentEdit

Template:More citations needed section Template:Expand list

Model	Type	Number	Dates	Builder	Details
ZFB91	6 wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (Internal Security/Anti-Riot Vehicle)	10	1980s	Norinco Template:PRC	with 12.7mm machine gun
BJ2020S	utility vehicle	N/A	N/A	Beijing-Jeep Template:PRC	variant of Soviet UAZ469B
EQ2102	Troop/Cargo Carrier Truck	N/A	N/A	Dongfeng Motor Corporation Template:PRC
EQ2081/2100	Utility Truck	N/A	N/A	Dongfeng Motor Corporation Template:PRC	(formerly EQ240 and likely Chinese variants of the Zil 131) and other support vehicles
Type 88 Sniper Rifle	designated marksman rifle	N/A	N/A	Norinco Template:PRC
QBZ-95	assault rifle	N/A	N/A	Template:PRC
QBZ-191	assault rifle	n/a	n/a	Template:PRC

BasesEdit

The garrison was temporarily stationed at the 11 storey Edificação Long Cheng/Long Cheng Mansion. It is now stationed on Taipa located amongst the new casinos in Cotai (Estrada da Baía de Nossa Sra. da Esperança across from Hotel Venetian and Galaxy Macau).

There are more troops at the barracks in Zhuhai (Zhengling).