On June 30, 1997, Major General Xiong Ziren led more than 500 troops into Hong Kong, and was promoted to lieutenant general three years later

On June 30, 1997, Major General Xiong Ziren led more than 500 troops into Hong Kong, and was promoted to lieutenant general three years later

The rain gently lapses the streets of Hong Kong, as if playing a prelude to the great changes that the city is about to usher in. On June 30, 1997, an army from the mainland of the motherland quietly entered Hong Kong. Their leader is a small but imposing major general - Xiong Ziren. The arrival of this army marks the beginning of a new chapter in Hong Kong's history.

However, what is less known is that Xiong Ziren's life trajectory is far more legendary than his identity at the moment. From a poor boy to a general with great achievements, from a welder to an important leader of the Hong Kong Garrison, Xiong Ziren's every step is full of perseverance and legend. And today, he will lead this army to witness and protect the historical moment of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

But what exactly is the mission of Xiong Ziren's trip? Why did this army enter Hong Kong on the eve of the handover? As the curtain of Hong Kong's return to China is about to open, what untold stories are being staged?

In 1943, an ordinary farmer in Jianli County, Hubei Province ushered in the birth of a baby boy, who was Xiong Ziren. Although the Xiong family is not wealthy, parents attach great importance to their children's education. Xiong Ziren's father was a small trader, and his mother was a hardworking and kind housewife. Although the family is living in poverty, his parents still grit their teeth to provide for Xiong Ziren to go to school, hoping that he can change his fate through knowledge.

Xiao Xiong Ziren lived up to his parents' expectations, worked hard in school, and his grades were always among the best. His name is never absent when the three good students are selected every year. However, fate always likes to play tricks on people. When Xiong Ziren was in the fifth grade, his father suddenly became seriously ill, and the family's financial situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

That year, the whole family was frugal, but they still couldn't make up the tuition and miscellaneous fees of 2.40 yuan. Seeing that Xiong Ziren was about to drop out of school, his classmates generously donated the money together. This friendship deeply touched Xiong Ziren, and he decided to repay the kindness of his classmates in his own way.

One sunny afternoon, Xiong Ziren came to the classroom with a large bag of fragrant fried soybeans. These soybeans were planted by him and his mother with hard work, and although they are not worth much, they are the result of their hard work. The students shared this simple gift, and the classroom was filled with laughter.

However, the good times were short-lived. When Xiong Ziren was about to graduate from primary school, his father's condition had not improved, and his three younger brothers had reached the age when they should go to school. The family can no longer afford Xiong Ziren to continue studying. Seeing that his mother even had the idea of giving away her little brother in order to reduce the burden on the family, the sensible Xiong Ziren made a difficult decision.

"Mom, I don't read anymore. Xiong Ziren said firmly, "I'll go to work and help you support your family." After saying that, the mother and son hugged their heads and cried. From that day on, Xiong Ziren, who was only 12 years old, began a hard work life. He does everything: wringing handles, digging wild vegetables, cultivating wasteland, and desperately maintaining the family's livelihood with his mother.

Luckily, a friend of my father's reached out and asked Xiong Ziren to help out in his shop, and gave him a high salary. This job not only helped the Xiong family tide over the difficulties, but also allowed Xiong Ziren to learn a lot of business skills.

In 1958, 15-year-old Xiong Ziren heard that the Bridge Bureau of the Ministry of Railways had come to his hometown to recruit workers, and he ran to sign up excitedly. However, he is less than 1.5 meters tall and does not meet the recruitment requirements. Xiong Ziren was unwilling to give up like this, and begged the recruiter to give him a chance. In the end, with his beautiful handwriting, he was finally admitted to work as a welder.

On the construction site of the Pearl River Bridge in Guangzhou, Xiong Ziren worked hard to study technology and soon became a technical expert. His diligence and talent were recognized, and he was named a young pacesetter at the end of the year, and he was also fortunate to be received by Chairman Zhu De. This experience deeply encouraged Xiong Ziren and gave him more hope for the future.

However, the wheel of history is always full of surprises. In the early 1960s, due to the tense international situation, the state began to recruit conscripts throughout the country. Xiong Ziren did not hesitate to sign up and started his military career.

When he first entered the barracks, Xiong Ziren was assigned to the troops stationed in Zhuhai. At that time, the environment in Zhuhai was difficult and there was a shortage of food. The troops participated in the project of reclamation from the sea at Baiteng Lake, and Xiong Ziren soon stood out with his hard-working spirit and became a squad leader.

On the waist-deep construction site, Xiong Ziren always rushed to the front, leading the soldiers to drive piles and stones, and move soil and reclaim the sea. During his breaks, he did not forget to write down what he saw and thought in his work and published it in the army's newspapers and magazines. His writing caught the attention of his superiors, and soon after, Xiong Ziren honorably joined the Chinese Communist Party.

In 1979, the Sino-Vietnamese border war broke out. At this time, Xiong Ziren was already a regimental cadre. He went to the front with the avant-garde regiment and showed extraordinary courage and command skills in the rain of bullets. In a key battle, Xiong Ziren led the soldiers to successfully complete the interspersed tasks, seize all the commanding heights, and lay the foundation for the victory of the subsequent battle. After the war, he was awarded a third-class meritorious service.

This war experience not only allowed Xiong Ziren to accumulate valuable practical experience, but also made him more deeply aware of the value of peace. After returning to the army, he devoted himself even harder to the study of military theory. The organization saw his potential and arranged for him to study at the Beijing University of Political Science.

During his time at the School of Political Science, Xiong Ziren was hungry for knowledge. He not only listened attentively, but also read extensively, and wrote a lot of reading notes and study experiences. Some of these articles were compiled into essays and published in many newspapers and periodicals inside and outside the military, attracting widespread attention.

After graduation, Xiong Ziren was appointed as the political commissar of a division. In this position, he has to be responsible for both political work and military command, so it can be said that he wears many hats. Despite the heavy workload, Xiong Ziren did an impressive job and led the troops to achieve a series of achievements.

In 1985, with the easing of the international situation, the Central Military Commission put forward new requirements for peacetime army building. Xiong Ziren keenly seized this opportunity and decided to start by improving the living conditions of officers and men to comprehensively enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops.

Thanks to his efforts, the old barracks were converted into spacious and bright buildings, and the food in the canteen was significantly improved. He also organized a variety of cultural activities, which greatly enhanced the quality of life and mental outlook of officers and men. These measures not only won the support of the fighters, but also the affirmation of the superiors. His division has been rated as an advanced unit many times, and Xiong Ziren himself was awarded the rank of major general in 1992.

In 1994, an important phone call came to the office of Xiong Ziren, then political commissar of the Guangxi Military Region. On the other end of the phone, the higher-level leader solemnly informed him that the central authorities had decided to appoint him as the first political commissar of the soon-to-be-formed Hong Kong Garrison. The news made Xiong Ziren feel both excited and apprehensive. He knows that this is not only an honor, but also a heavy responsibility.

After receiving the appointment, Xiong Ziren immediately threw himself into intense preparatory work. He worked closely with Major General Liu Zhenwu, the first commander of the Hong Kong Garrison, who was appointed at the same time, and jointly shouldered the heavy task of forming this special unit.

The formation of the Hong Kong Garrison can be described as a myriad of problems. The first thing to solve is the problem of personnel selection. Xiong Ziren and Liu Zhenwu agreed that every member of this force must be carefully selected. They have formulated a set of strict selection criteria: excellent political quality, superb military skills, good cultural literacy, and excellent physical fitness.

The selection process was carried out on a military-wide basis. Every officer and soldier who applies to join the Hong Kong Garrison must go through layers of screening. Xiong has personally participated in many interviews, and he often asks seemingly simple but meaningful questions, such as: "What would you do if someone on the streets of Hong Kong insulted our national flag?" Through these questions, he not only examines the candidates' adaptability, but also understands their political consciousness and awareness of the overall situation.

After nearly two years of hard work, a Hong Kong garrison composed of elite soldiers and strong generals has finally begun to take shape. The main body of this unit is an infantry brigade, the predecessor of this brigade can be traced back to the Red First Regiment during the Autumn Harvest Uprising led by Chairman Mao, and made great achievements in the Long March and the War of Resistance against Japan. In addition, there is a fleet of ships and an aviation regiment, both of which are elite forces selected from all units of the army.

However, forming a good force is only the first step. The real challenge is how to make this force perform its duties well in this special land of Hong Kong. Xiong Ziren is well aware that the Hong Kong Garrison will face an unprecedentedly complicated situation.

For this reason, Xiong Ziren and Liu Zhenwu discussed it repeatedly, and finally established a loud slogan for the Hong Kong Garrison: "Mission is more important than Mount Tai, discipline is more important than life, and the image represents the national prestige and military might." This slogan succinctly sums up the core mission and code of conduct of the Hong Kong Garrison.

In order to make this slogan more than just words, Xiong Ziren personally presided over the formulation of the "Code of Ethics and Conduct for Military Personnel of the Hong Kong Garrison." This standard sets out in detail how officers and soldiers stationed in Hong Kong should behave and behave on various occasions, covering everything from daily life to carrying out their duties.

For example, the norms clearly require that officers and men stationed in Hong Kong must always maintain a good appearance on the streets of Hong Kong, walk with their heads held high but not domineering, and answer questions from citizens asking for directions warmly and politely, but they must not casually talk with others or express their personal opinions. In Xiong Ziren's view, these seemingly trivial details have a bearing on the image of the Hong Kong Garrison and even the entire country in the minds of Hong Kong citizens.

In addition to the code of conduct, Xiong Ziren also paid special attention to improving the overall quality of officers and men. He demanded that all officers and men stationed in Hong Kong must be proficient in mastering the "Basic Law of the Hong Kong S.A.R. of the People's Republic of China." This is not only to let the officers and men understand their legal status in Hong Kong, but also to enable them to understand the profound connotation of "one country, two systems."

At the same time, Xiong Ziren also organized large-scale English training. He believes that in this cosmopolitan city, it is essential to have a certain level of English communication skills. He even took the lead in learning English himself, and encouraged the officers and soldiers to study hard by setting an example.

In order to enrich the cultural life of officers and men and enhance their cohesion, Xiong Ziren also organized the creation of the "Moral Song of Military Personnel." With easy-to-understand lyrics, this song compiles the mission and requirements of the Hong Kong Garrison into a catchy ballad. Soon, this song spread among the troops and became spiritual food for the officers and men.

Thanks to the joint efforts of Xiong Ziren and other leaders, the appearance of the Hong Kong Garrison is changing with each passing day. This unit not only has excellent military quality, but also has the comprehensive ability to adapt to Hong Kong's special environment. They can operate modern weapons and equipment, and can communicate with foreigners in fluent English; It can not only strictly abide by military discipline, but also flexibly respond to various complex situations.

In June 1997, there was only one month left before Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The Hong Kong garrison led by Xiong Ziren has made full preparations and is waiting for that historic moment to come. They will greet Hong Kong's return to the embrace of the motherland in the best condition and embark on a new journey of guarding and serving Hong Kong.

In May 1997, the footsteps of Hong Kong's return to the motherland were getting closer and closer, and the preparations for the Hong Kong Garrison entered the final sprint stage. As the political commissar of the Hong Kong Garrison, Major General Xiong Ziren is well aware of the importance and complexity of this special period.

As an international financial centre, Hong Kong's every move has attracted the attention of the world. During this sensitive period, any slight change can trigger a ripple effect. Xiong Ziren and other leaders face a variety of complex political situations every day.

One day, Xiong Ziren received an urgent notice from his superiors that there was intelligence that certain anti-China forces might create chaos on the eve of the return to China. Xiong Ziren immediately convened a meeting of the top level of the army to formulate a response plan. The meeting, which lasted late into the night, resulted in a comprehensive security plan, including increased patrolling of key areas and the establishment of rapid response teams.

At the same time, the Hong Kong Garrison is also faced with a special task: to carry out the planning of a military handover with the British side. This is an unprecedented undertaking with no precedent to follow. Xiong Ziren led a group and began difficult negotiations with the British representatives.

At the negotiation table, the two sides had a heated discussion on every detail of the handover ceremony. From the order in which the flags are lowered, to the position of the military band, to the content of the speeches of the representatives of both sides, each item is related to the dignity of the country and the historical record. Xiong Ziren relied on his rich diplomatic experience and flexible negotiation tactics to finally reach a handover plan with the British side that was acceptable to both sides.

However, plans can never catch up with change. In the last week before the handover, a large-scale demonstration suddenly broke out in Hong Kong. While the theme of the march has nothing to do with the return, it adds a bit of uncertainty to an already tense situation.

Xiong Ziren immediately summoned troops for emergency deployment. He called on all officers and men to maintain a high degree of vigilance, but at the same time stressed that they must not act rashly so as not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings. He also particularly exhorted the officials in charge of external liaison to pay close attention to changes in public opinion and clarify possible rumors in a timely manner.

In order to deal with various unexpected situations that may occur, Xiong Ziren also organized a series of simulation drills. In a simulated exercise, it is assumed that an outlaw is trying to storm the site of the return ceremony. Xiong Ziren personally served as the commander-in-chief, commanding the soldiers how to quickly control the situation without harming innocent people. The drill exposed some problems, and Xiong Ziren immediately organized relevant personnel to summarize and improve and further improve the emergency plan.

In addition to security work, Xiong Ziren is also very concerned about the logistical support of the Hong Kong Garrison after it is stationed. He led several field trips to the site to ensure that every detail was properly arranged. From the accommodation conditions of officers and soldiers, to their daily diet, to medical security, Xiong Ziren took matters into his own hands and asked about them one by one.

Once, when Xiong Ziren inspected the kitchen, he found that the quality of a batch of vegetables he had purchased was not good. He immediately called the officer in charge of logistics and solemnly pointed out: "We are here to carry out a glorious mission, and we cannot let the soldiers eat badly." More importantly, everything we say and do in Hong Kong represents the image of the motherland. If we can't even do our own food, how can we make Hong Kong compatriots trust us? "After this incident, the quality of food for the Hong Kong Garrison has been significantly improved.

In the preparatory work, Xiong Ziren attaches great importance to communication with all sectors of the local community in Hong Kong. He met with representatives from various walks of life in Hong Kong on many occasions and patiently listened to their views and suggestions. At a meeting with representatives of Hong Kong's business community, some people raised concerns that the Hong Kong Garrison would affect Hong Kong's economic development. Xiong Ziren responded frankly: "We are not here to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs, but to protect Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The Hong Kong Garrison will act in strict accordance with the Basic Law and will never interfere in Hong Kong's internal affairs. These words dispelled the doubts of many people.

As the return date approached, Xiong Ziren felt more and more that the burden on his shoulders was heavy. He is well aware that the Hong Kong Garrison must not only fulfill its military tasks, but also play a role at the political, diplomatic, and other levels. To this end, he has organized officers and men to study Deng Xiaoping's important exposition on "one country, two systems" on many occasions and asked them to profoundly understand the spiritual essence of this great concept.

On June 28, less than 72 hours were left before the return ceremony. Xiong Ziren summoned all the officers and soldiers for the last mobilization. "Comrades, we are about to witness and participate in a great historical moment," he said earnestly. Our every move will be recorded. Let us show the world with practical actions that we are a disciplined and civilized army! ＂

In this way, under the leadership of Xiong Ziren, the Hong Kong Garrison greeted the arrival of the historic moment of Hong Kong's return to the motherland with full enthusiasm and a rigorous style.

On June 30, 1997, Hong Kong was drizzled in a drizzle, as if the sky was weeping over the city's impending upheaval. At 4:40 p.m., a black sedan slowly drove out of the Hong Kong Governor's Office, and in the car sat Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong. The United Kingdom gentleman's face was full of complicated expressions, and he circled the Governor's House three times, as if to say his final goodbye to the land he had ruled for five years.

Meanwhile, at a secret assembly point on the border between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Major General Xiong Ziren is making final deployments. Dressed in a straight military uniform, he said to the more than 500 officers and soldiers in front of him with a serious expression: "Comrades, we are about to shoulder a historic mission. Remember, we represent not only the Chinese People's Liberation Army, but also the dignity of the great motherland. ＂

At 8 p.m., it was completely dark, but the streets of Hong Kong were still bustling. On the shores of Victoria Harbour, countless citizens and tourists gather here to witness this historic moment. And in the shadows, the troops led by Xiong Ziren have begun a covert operation.

They split into small groups and silently moved towards their intended positions. Each fighter is rigorously trained to maintain absolute discipline even in complex urban environments. Xiong Ziren kept in close contact with the various teams by radio and kept abreast of the progress of the operation.

That's when an unexpected situation happened. An improvised parade suddenly appeared on the route that the troops had to pass. If it is forced through, it is likely to cause unnecessary commotion. Xiong Ziren quickly made a judgment and ordered the troops to take cover for the time being, while sending a group to make a detour to explore the way for the large army.

This decision proved to be wise. In less than half an hour, the procession dispersed on its own, and the troops were able to pass without a hitch. Although this episode was thrilling, it also showed the resilience and discipline of the Hong Kong Garrison.

At 10 o'clock in the evening, the troops led by Xiong Ziren finally arrived at the predetermined position. They scattered around the site of the return ceremony, maintaining a high level of vigilance. At the same time, in the waters south of Hong Kong, a fleet of several warships is also in place, ready to deal with possible contingencies.

At 11:30, the countdown to the return officially began. On the Protocol Square, representatives from China and the UK began to take their seats. Xiong Ziren stood in a hidden corner, carefully observing every detail of the scene through a telescope. He noticed that several of the British delegates looked nervous and looked around from time to time.

At 11:45, representatives of China and Britain began the final handover ceremony. It is an extremely solemn and complex process, and every detail has been repeatedly discussed and rehearsed. Xiong Ziren held his breath and watched the ritual go closely.

Just then, an accident happened. A man in civilian clothes suddenly rushed to the podium, shouting something. The scene was suddenly chaotic. Xiong Ziren immediately gave an order through the walkie-talkie: "Group B acts immediately and controls the situation, but do not use force!" ＂

After a few seconds, several secret service agents in civilian clothes quickly subdued the man. It was later confirmed that it was just a drunken foreign tourist and had no malicious intent. Although this little episode was thrilling, it also showed the rapid response capability of the Hong Kong Garrison.

At 11:59, the last minute of the countdown. The atmosphere of the scene reached its peak. Xiong Ziren's gaze scanned back and forth between the stage and the surrounding crowd, making sure everything was under control.

Finally, the clock struck midnight. On the podium, the United Kingdom flag was slowly lowered, and the Chinese flag and the Hong Kong S.A.R. flag were raised. The majestic melody of "March of the Volunteers" resounded in the night sky, and the scene erupted in warm applause and cheers.

Xiong Ziren looked at the raised five-star red flag, tears of excitement flashing in his eyes. He knew that this moment was not only the rebirth of Hong Kong, but also the end of the century-old history of humiliation of the Chinese nation.

After the ceremony, the United Kingdom delegation boarded the United Kingdom warship anchored in Victoria Harbour. The naval fleet under Xiong Ziren's command monitored the movements of the British warship until it sailed out of Hong Kong waters.

At 2 a.m. on July 1, when all the celebrations were over and the citizens were heading home, Xiong Ziren breathed a sigh of relief. He summoned his troops for a brief summary meeting to make a preliminary assessment of the night's operations. Although there are still some minor flaws that need to be improved, overall, the Hong Kong Garrison has withstood the test on this historic night.

As soon as it was dawn, Xiong Ziren received a call from Beijing. On the other end of the phone, the leader's words of praise came: "You guys did a good job!" In a few short words, Xiong Ziren felt that all the hard work was worth it.

With the return of Hong Kong to the embrace of the motherland, the Hong Kong Garrison has also officially started its mission of stationing in Hong Kong. This unit, led by Major General Xiong Ziren, is facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. They must not only fulfill their duty to defend Hong Kong, but also show a good image of the People's Liberation Army in this special land.

On the first working day after his return, Xiong Ziren convened a meeting of all officers and men. At the meeting, he stressed: "Every action we take now represents the image of the country. We must not only do a good job as soldiers, but also become a bridge connecting Hong Kong compatriots with the mainland. ＂

In order to better integrate into Hong Kong society, Xiong Ziren has formulated a series of new regulations. For example, he asked officers and soldiers to wear civilian clothes as much as possible in their daily lives to reduce psychological pressure on local residents. At the same time, he also encouraged the officers and soldiers to take advantage of the rest time to get out of the barracks and learn about Hong Kong's culture and way of life.

However, these initiatives have not been without their challenges. Once, when several young soldiers were shopping in Causeway Bay, they had some misunderstandings with the merchants because they were not familiar with the local consumption habits. This incident was quickly amplified by some media and became a lever for criticizing the Hong Kong Garrison.

Faced with this situation, Xiong Ziren did not choose to avoid or confront hard. On the contrary, he took the initiative to invite reporters from several mainstream media to the barracks to show them the daily life and training of the Hong Kong Garrison. He also arranged for the soldiers involved in the controversy to meet with reporters and explain what had happened in a sincere manner.

This open-minded and candid attitude has won the goodwill of many Hong Kong citizens. Gradually, people began to have a new understanding of this army from the interior.

In addition to doing a good job in foreign exchanges, Xiong Ziren paid more attention to improving the actual combat capability of the troops. He is well aware that Hong Kong, as an international financial centre, faces a variety of complex security threats. To this end, he has organized troops to conduct targeted training on many occasions, such as anti-terrorism exercises and sea rescue.

In 1998, Hong Kong was hit by rare heavy rainfall, causing severe flooding in many areas. Xiong Ziren immediately mobilized troops to participate in the rescue work. The officers and men of the Hong Kong Garrison braved hardships and dangers and fought on the front line, assisting in the evacuation of the trapped people and reinforcing the embankments. This operation made the Hong Kong people truly feel the spirit of serving the people of the Hong Kong Garrison.

Over time, the Hong Kong Garrison has gradually become an integral part of Hong Kong society. Every year, the barracks open day attracts a large number of visitors, especially those organised by some schools, so that the younger generation in Hong Kong has the opportunity to learn more about national defence and the armed forces up close.

Xiong also pays special attention to reaching out to local veterans in Hong Kong. He invited these veterans to the barracks on many occasions to listen to their suggestions on the work of the Hong Kong Garrison. This has not only enhanced the understanding between the two sides, but also won more support for the Hong Kong Garrison.

Under Xiong Ziren's leadership, the Hong Kong Garrison has not only fulfilled its military mission brilliantly, but has also played an important role in promoting exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland. Their performance has been highly recognized by the Central Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government.

In 2000, an exciting news came: Xiong Ziren was awarded the rank of lieutenant general. This is not only an affirmation of him personally, but also a recognition of the work of the entire Hong Kong Garrison.

The award ceremony was held in Beijing Bayi Building. When Xiong Ziren put on the general's uniform embroidered with two gold stars, he remembered his arduous journey out of the impoverished mountainous area, the sweat on the construction site of the Pearl River Bridge, the rain of bullets on the frontier battlefield, and the exciting night of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

After the ceremony, Xiong Ziren was interviewed by reporters. When asked about his outlook for the future, he said: "Our Hong Kong Garrison will continue to adhere to the principle of 'one country, two systems' and act in strict accordance with the Basic Law. Our mission is to safeguard Hong Kong's security and prosperity, and to contribute to safeguarding national sovereignty and Hong Kong's long-term stability. ＂

After returning to Hong Kong, Xiong Ziren threw himself into his new job non-stop. He knew very well that with the promotion of military rank, the burden on his shoulders became heavier. He will lead the Hong Kong Garrison to continue to write a new chapter in defending and serving Hong Kong in the new historical period.

In the days that followed, Xiong Ziren and his troops continued to guard the land in obscurity. Their existence is like a solid barrier, providing a strong backing for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. Xiong Ziren's story has also become a vivid footnote to witness Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the great practice of "one country, two systems".