PLA Garrison in Macau

Last updated: 17 January 2008

The PLA Garrison Unit in Macau was formed under the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s policy of “One country, two systems”, and according to the Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR). On 28 June 1999, the 10th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth People’s Congress approved the Garrison Law of the Macau SAR, which defines the responsibilities of the PLA garrison.

Under the Garrison Law, the PLA Garrison in Macau is responsible for the defence and security of the region, managing the military facilities in the region, and dealing with foreign-related military affairs. The garrison shall not interfere with the internal affair of the region. However, under the 3rd and 14th sections of the Garrison Law, the PLA garrison can provide assistance in restoring social order and disaster relief upon the request of the SAR government. The expenditure of the garrison shall be borne by the PRC central government.

Under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the PLA Garrison in Macau is roughly equivalent to an Army battalion, with a total strength of about 1,000 personnel. The unit is mainly consisting of ground forces troops, with a small number of air force and navy officers serving in its headquarters too. The garrison is mainly equipped with small arms and about 10 wheeled armoured vehicles. There are 500 troops permanently stationed in Macau, with the rest stationed in its logistic supply base in the neighbouring Zhuhai City in Guangdong Province.

On 10 November 1999, the Chinese State Council and CMC announced that the PLA Garrison in Macau was fully operational. On 19 December 1999, the then CMC Chairman and Chinese President Jiang Zemin issued the order for the PLA garrison to enter Macau. Following the hand over Macau from Portugal to the PRC, around 500 PLA troops led by the garrison commander Maj. Gen. Liu Yuejun and political commissar Maj. Gen. He Xiaoshu entered Macau. The PRC national flag was raised in the garrison’s barracks.

PLA Macau Garrison waiting for inspection by Chinese leaders (Source: Xinhua News Agency)