PLA Commanders in Hong Kong and Macau No Longer Pledge Loyalty to Xi Jinping

File Photo: On November 10, 2021, a container ship docks outside the Victoria Harbour at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

[People News] According to reports from Chinese state media, on July 30, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong held a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. Attendees included Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Zheng Yanxiong, Director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong Dong Jingwei, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR Cui Jianchun, Commander of the Hong Kong Garrison Peng Jingtang, and Political Commissar Lai Ruxin. Peng Jingtang delivered a speech.

In his speech, Peng only mentioned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), without any reference to Xi Jinping. He also did not mention the "One Country, Two Systems" framework or express any gratitude toward the Hong Kong government. However, he did state that the PLA garrison "faithfully fulfils the sacred duty of safeguarding Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability... and has won high praise from the broad masses of Hong Kong compatriots." These self-congratulatory words ring hollow to the people of Hong Kong, who have lost their democracy and freedoms under CCP rule. When compared to speeches made in previous years, this year’s remarks stand out as unusual.

At the 97th anniversary reception on July 31, 2024, Peng stated that over the 27 years since the PLA entered Hong Kong, the garrison had "resolutely followed the Party’s command," and expressed "sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong SAR government and all sectors of society for their longstanding concern and support." He also said the garrison would "firmly support the Chief Executive and the SAR government in administering in accordance with the law" and "make greater contributions to the steady and sustained implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems.'"

At the 96th anniversary reception on July 31, 2023, Peng made similar statements, including that the garrison "resolutely follows the Party's command," thanked the Hong Kong government and various sectors, and said the garrison would "make greater contributions to the steady and sustained implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems.'" He also declared that the PLA troops stationed in Hong Kong would "hold high the great banner of Xi Jinping Thought," and "deeply study and implement Xi Jinping’s thinking on strengthening the military, resolutely obeying the commands of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Xi." Such remarks, however, were absent from the 2024 and 2025 receptions.

In 2022, possibly due to the pandemic, no reception was held. However, Peng Jingtang and Lai Ruxin published a written speech on August 1, which mentioned Xi Jinping's July 1st inspection of the Hong Kong garrison and his speech, stating that the garrison would "deeply study and implement the spirit of Chairman Xi’s important speech."

Only two years later, Peng Jingtang had changed his tone. What does this signify?

Official records show Peng Jingtang previously served as a brigade commander in the former Jinan Military Region, head of its military training department, chief of staff of the Xinjiang Armed Police Corps, and deputy chief of staff of the Armed Police Force. He was appointed commander of the Hong Kong Garrison in January 2022. His appointment was largely due to his years of counter-terrorism experience in Xinjiang—handling emergency incidents, maintaining stability, and disaster relief—with the "Mountain Eagle Commando Unit" being a notable part of his counter-terrorism credentials in Xinjiang.

Some media have pointed out that while the Hong Kong Garrison was previously led by PLA generals, after the social unrest in Hong Kong, commanders with counter-terrorism experience from the Armed Police Force were brought in. This reflects the central government's Hong Kong policy shift toward maintaining stability and fighting terrorism. Appointing a figure like Peng, who specialises in suppression and control, clearly signals the intent to use force to suppress public resistance in Hong Kong.

As someone who rose through the ranks on his own merit, Peng likely does not have a strong factional backing—obedience is his only choice. It is therefore notable that both this year and last year, he refrained from expressing loyalty to Xi Jinping or stating "resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Xi." This strongly suggests that Xi’s grip on the military may indeed be slipping and that the PLA has possibly received some internal directive, without which Peng would not dare to omit such loyalty pledges.

Furthermore, Peng did not mention "One Country, Two Systems" or thank the Hong Kong government, which could also reflect the attitude of the top CCP leadership—that Hong Kong's political status has diminished and thus the cooperation between the garrison and the local government has changed accordingly.

If the Hong Kong Garrison commander speaks this way, what about the Macau Garrison? According to a report from the PLA Daily, on the morning of August 1, the PLA garrison in Macau held a reception at the Taipa barracks. Attendees included National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Vice Chairman Ho Hau Wah, Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, Director of the Liaison Office in Macau Zheng Xinchong, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau Liu Xianfa, Commander of the Macau Garrison Yu Changjiang, and Political Commissar Lin Qinghua.

Yu Changjiang and Ho Iat Seng both gave speeches. Yu stated that over the past 26 years, the Macau Garrison has resolutely implemented the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, earnestly carried out the principles of "One Country, Two Systems," and upheld the Basic Law and the Garrison Law. Again, no mention of Xi Jinping, and no words of thanks to the Macau government. Clearly, this is no coincidence.

Just like the heads of many PLA branches in recent times, the commanders of the Hong Kong and Macau Garrisons are no longer pledging allegiance to Xi Jinping. The message is clear, and the CCP’s Fourth Plenary Session, to be held in October, may reveal the full picture.

(First published by People News)