PLA deployed on Macau streets for first time

The People’s Liberation Army marched onto Macau streets on Friday, marking the first time that the mainland army has intervened in local affairs in either Macau or Hong Kong since their respective handovers.

Around 1,000 soldiers from the Macau Garrison were dispatched to the streets to aid in the clean up effort after Typhoon Hato, starting on Friday and lasting through until yesterday.

In the absence of any government notification, the presence of PLA soldiers initially startled Macau residents because of its unprecedented nature.

However, their involvement in the relief efforts were quickly warmed by locals, and the city’s anger toward MSAR authorities over their handling of Typhoon Hato was replaced with applause for the Chinese soldiers.

While the populace at large welcomed their intervention, some residents questioned whether they were being put to good use.

Legislator Au Kam San posted a message on social media on Saturday, arguing that the Macau garrison was under-utilized by local authorities.

“We often see the PLA saving [people from] disasters on the TV – in floods and earthquakes – these are called saving [people from] disasters. But in Macau, they are asked to pick up trash.”

He questioned whether the work was deserving enough of a professional army, when a large number of local associations had organized volunteers for the clean up effort. Au also said that he considered it weird that the MSAR government would request the army for such a purpose.

Statements such as these may have formed the basis for a harshly-worded condemnation issued by the local government yesterday, warning locals not to criticize the PLA. Au’s social media statement did not criticize the PLA.

In the warning, published through the Government Information Bureau, local authorities “strongly condemned all baseless and irresponsible comments on the Internet criticizing typhoon relief efforts by the People’s Liberation Army Macau Garrison.”

The local government had not disclosed the fact that PLA soldiers would be dispatched on Friday morning prior to their deployment. At a press conference yesterday, Security for Security Wong Sio Chak said that Chief Executive Chui Sai On, in accordance with the Basic Law, had requested their involvement.

The relevant law states that the chief executive can request, through official political channels, PLA soldiers stationed in the SAR to assist in disaster relief efforts or to maintain order.

The request was allegedly sent on Wednesday morning as Typhoon Hato struck the city, and approval was granted by Beijing later that day. Preparations were underway on Thursday for the deployment on Friday morning. DB