New Political Head For Army Unit Named

Chinese President Hu Jintao has named Major-General Zhang Rucheng as the new political commissar for the 3,000-strong People's Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong. Zhang will replace Major-General Liu Liangkai. The PLA has kept a low profile since the July 1 1997 handover to Chinese rule. Many in Hong Kong were initially suspicious of the Chinese army when it first arrived, mainly due to the crackdown on pro-democracy students in Tiananmen Square in 1989. The troops have, however, been able to win acceptance with their good behaviour and quiet approach.

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