The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Thursday conducted a joint patrol participated by its army, naval and air force units, focusing on enhancing the troops' combat, commanding and coordination capabilities under emergency and special circumstances.
The joint patrol involved multiple services and arms such as army infantries, naval vessels, and army helicopters, focusing on air and sea patrol, search and seizure, joint control of sea areas, and emergency rescue and repair.
At 9:00 in the morning, naval vessels at the Chinese PLA Hong Kong Garrison's Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks made emergency preparations, deported from the military port to the target sea area. Two army helicopters of the air force flew to the mission area to support the naval fleet in the joint air-sea patrols, management and control.
After the troops arrived at the target sea area, the helicopters found a "suspicious vessel" there and rapidly flew over it to issue a warning, stopped it and then led the naval vessels to intercept the ship. A special squad on the naval vessel then boarded the ship for inspection and arrested suspects.
"With the help of radar, optoelectronic devices, and automatic identification system, the naval vessels and helicopters coordinated closely to identify, intercept and search the target ship. The drill has tested the troops' comprehensive discrimination ability of sea and air situations and their emergency-handling capability."
Meanwhile, in Shek Kong Barracks, army infantries coordinated with the helicopters to conduct maritime security patrol on important target in the mission area.
"The joint patrol was set in an actual combating scenario. We organized emergency dispatch of troops of multiple services in joint formation and multiple locations, highlighting practical content such as rapid joint planning and command of drills, sea and air patrols, inspections and arrests, joint management and control of sea areas, and emergency rescue and repair in a coherent manner. The test in high-intensity confrontation has improved the combat capabilities of the garrison troops in responding to emergencies and performing diversified military tasks," said Zhao Long, another soldier from the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.
During the joint patrol, the participating troops strictly followed the laws and regulations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ( HKSAR) on the management of roads, waterways and aviation, and had notified relevant departments of the HKSAR government in advance.
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Governments at all levels across China are promoting consumer goods trade-ins and industrial equipment upgrade with preferential policies and subsidies, bringing about significant growth in home appliance sales and equipment production. So far this year, the trade-in policies have brought a total sale of one trillion yuan (about 137 billion U.S. dollars) nationwide, and boosted production of trade-in-related goods like new energy vehicles (NEVs) and home-use freezers.
In Shanghai, in addition to the eight categories of nationwide subsidized products, like refrigerators, television sets, and computers, the local government introduced extra subsidies for additional home appliances, as well as interior materials, furniture, elderly-friendly products, and more to meet local needs.
According to statistics, Shanghai's trade-ins of home appliances have exceeded 6.4 million times, boosting trade of the eight categories by 30 to 40 percent compared to last year's statistics, and the total sales of home appliances on all platforms exceeded 10 billion yuan (about 1.37 billion U.S. dollars).
In central China's Hubei Province, the local government is providing subsidies unlimited times for passenger vehicles trade-ins, expanding subsidized kitchen and bathroom appliances, and involving interior goods and materials to the list, benefiting consumers in over 4.5 million transactions and bringing a total sale of 50 billion yuan (about 6.8 billion U.S. dollars).
In the first three quarters, industrial equipment upgrade policies have stimulated investments in equipment and tools, featuring a 16.4 percent year-on-year increase, with food manufacturing, agricultural products processing, and metal smelting equipment production increasing by 38.1 percent, 34.6 percent, and 13.2 percent, respectively.
In addition to consumer goods, governments at all levels have been actively offering allowances and providing guidance for companies to upgrade appliances and technologies to facilitate domestic consumption "We have applied for nearly 50 million yuan (about 6.8 million U.S. dollars) funding for equipment upgrades. With active advertising and mobilization, we encouraged local advantageous companies in machinery and medicine and health to apply, and provide guidance for them on company digitalization and technology upgrade," said Yu Biao, deputy director of the Development and Reform Bureau of Xinchang County in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province.
Companies are also benefiting from the policy, and many are pursuing expansion with government allowances.
"We have benefited from the 'one-time pre-tax deduction policy for equipment and tools under 5 million yuan (about 680,000 U.S. dollars)' and reinvested additional funds for the Phase II expansion. As a result, the annual processing capacity has increased from 80,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes," said Tang Kaibo, general manager of Liaoning Lvyuan Renewable Energy Development Co., Ltd.
Local governments promote trade-ins, equipment upgrade with policies, subsidies
