Soldiers at PLA Macao garrison: Macao is home

The reporter chatted with men from the Second Armored Infantry Company. A complaint by Chang Wenbo, deputy squad leader of the eighth squad, made all in the room laugh.

Chang Wenbo showed the reporter a letter of praise he had received from the Macao SAR Healthcare Bureau’s Blood Donation Center on October 28, 2004. "I regret that I have had only one chance to donate blood to the residents of Macao during my 8-year stay in here."

PLA Macao garrison

What Chang said was followed by protests from other soldiers: "Stop! Many of us have not even had a chance to donate once! "

According to Zhang Hao, political instructor of the company, the garrison troops live in complete harmony with local residents and he has been deeply moved by his men because they want to donate blood and plant trees every year and none of the soldiers are willing to lag behind.

In fact, the soldiers' deep concern for the locals has not only moved Zhang Hao. Tu Zhizhong, leader of the Guard and Reconnaissance Company, told a story to reporters: on March 22, the higher authorities urged the company to dispatch 25 soldiers to plant trees at the Luhuan Island. On hearing the news, all officers and men of the company expressed their willingness to join in the activity, in an attempt to contribute to Macao and to the local people.

What is to be done? Tu didn't want to discourage them because that would dampen their spirits. Finally, all of the officers and men agreed that a secret vote was a good way to choose the tree planters.

After the result was revealed, the 25 lucky men shouted and jumped for joy. Tu nearly shed tears when he noticed the expression in the eyes of those who could not go to plant the trees.

He said affectionately: "Our soldiers are too endearing. They love Macao and are willing to do anything for it no matter how long they have been stationed here."

In August 2007, the garrison troops organized a blood donation. Qin Peng, a soldier from the Second Motorized Infantry Company, was in poor health at that time because he had just experienced an appendicitis operation. Therefore, company leaders did not approve his application for donating blood to Macao residents. However, Qin squeezed into a line of blood donators and said: "I will quit the army at the end of this year and I will not be able to find another chance to donate blood to the residents of Macao."