Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK's Return to China

    BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison troops in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will sport new uniforms starting July 1, the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, according to military authorities on Thursday.

    Military officers and civil cadres outside Hong Kong and rank-and-filers in Beijing and Macao Special Administrative Region won't get the new uniforms until Aug. 1, the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the PLA.

    Servicemen elsewhere are authorized to start wearing the new uniforms as soon as they are issued.

    The uniform upgrade approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission is expected to be completed within three years.

    Military authorities have deemed the uniform upgrade a "pragmatic move to improve team spirit and combat effectiveness" and "an issue affecting the development of the armed forces and the immediate interests of officers and soldiers".

    "Appearance and bearing in all units must reflect strict military discipline. The armed forces must consolidate their good image and seek to continuously improve standards," said the statement.

    The statement was jointly issued by the General Staff Headquarters, the General Political Department, the General Logistics Department and the General Armament Department of the PLA.