MACAO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) had made great contribution to the stability and prosperity of the Macao Special Administration Region (SAR), a senior military officer said on Sunday.

    The PLA troops based in Macao for a decade has successfully fulfilled various defense operations and other tasks, said Major General Wang Yuren, commander of the PLA's garrison in Macao.

    In the past ten years, more than 90,000 PLA troops have helped maintain Macao's peace and stability without a single violation of the region's laws.

    More than 16,000 Macao visitors have toured PLA bases and more than 500 students have participated in military training for their summer camps. The PLA has also helped Macao by planting trees and giving blood.

    "The PLA troops in Macao face the challenge of coming to terms with different political values and life styles," said Major General Wang. "The garrison's leaders have paid much attention to the troop's education to maintain the garrison's loyalty and the PLA's reputation."

    According to the commander, the garrison has been engaged in building up the troop's ability to handle all sorts of military operations. Firefighting, handling explosives and terrorist attack drills are held every month.

    "The troops study the Macao SAR Basic Law, Garrison Law and other laws and regulations," said Senior Colonel Xu Jinlin, political commissar of the PLA's garrison in Macao.

    In the past ten years, a total of 251 servicemen in Macao have been awarded merit for their service. The troops have won trust among local residents and contributed to the region's stability and prosperity, Xu said.

Special report: 10th Anniversary of Macao SAR