Rifles Heavier Than Expected: Students Experience National Defence at PLA Hong Kong Garrisons
HKCT Organises Visits for Over 150 Teachers and Students to PLA Units to Promote Experiential National Education
(29 June 2026, Hong Kong) — “Only when I actually held the equipment did I realise it was heavier than I had imagined,” a student remarked after visiting a Hong Kong garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). To mark the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, HKCT Institute of Higher Education and Hong Kong College of Technology (“HKCT”) organised visits for more than 150 teachers and students, in batches, to the Ngong Shuen Chau, Shek Kong, and San Wai barracks. Participants observed flag-raising ceremonies, military demonstrations, and cultural performances, and engaged in exchanges with stationed personnel to gain insights into national defence, as well as the daily training and operations of the garrison.
Upholding Discipline and Military Spirit: Flag Guard Member Aspires to Serve on the Frontline
Cheung Koon-Keung, a student enrolled in the Auxiliary Police Preparatory Training Programme and a member of HKCT’s National Flag Guard, said that observing the rigorous drills at Ngong Shuen Chau barracks gave him a deeper appreciation of the discipline and professionalism of the military. As a member of the Flag Guard, he noted that he always feels proud when raising the Five-Star Red Flag on campus. However, witnessing firsthand the impeccable discipline, unity, and precision of the PLA troops at two barracks enabled him to truly understand what constitutes military spirit. This experience, he said, will directly inspire and motivate his aspiration to join the disciplined services in the future.
He added that young people of the new generation should “continue equipping themselves in their respective roles and contribute to society.” He also observed many members of the public, including families, interacting amicably with the stationed personnel, describing the barracks as bringing an “irreplaceable sense of security” to the community.
Mainland Student Realises National Defence Aspiration Through First Barracks Visit
For Gao Zixiang, a Mainland student studying in Hong Kong, stepping into a PLA garrison in the city was a rare and remarkable experience. He recounted watching the honour guard stand steadfast in heavy rain at the Ngong Shuen Chau naval base and interacting with soldiers through simulated shooting activities. At Shek Kong air base, he observed helicopters performing hovering and formation displays above the runway—experiences that left a lasting impression.
“Engaging with military equipment gave me a better understanding of the intensity and commitment involved in the daily training of stationed officers and soldiers. It is their unwavering dedication at sea and in the air, day after day, that safeguards Hong Kong’s stability and peace,” he said.
The visit also helped him realise the close connection between personal development and the future of the nation and Hong Kong. He expressed his intention to promote national defence awareness within campuses and communities, and to contribute to society through his professional expertise.
Promoting Experiential National Education to Foster National Identity Among Youth
HKCT stated that the visits form part of its ongoing efforts to promote experiential learning in recent years, enabling students to strengthen their understanding of national security and patriotism by immersing themselves in real-life settings. As the first self-financing tertiary institution in Hong Kong to establish a National Flag Guard, HKCT has organised various experiential activities, including visits to the naval fleet led by the CNS Hainan and CNS Shandong, as well as opportunities for students to serve as narrators during commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance.
Through such diverse experiences, HKCT aims to deepen students’ sense of national identity and foster a strong commitment to both the nation and Hong Kong.
