The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) garrison troops in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) conducted on Tuesday its 11th troop rotation since it assumed Hong Kong's defense responsibility on July 1, 1997.

Soldiers of the upcoming navy unit of Chinese People's Liberation Army garrison troops in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) line up upon their arrival at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base of Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 25, 2008. The Chinese People's Liberation Army garrison troops in HKSAR conducted on Tuesday its 11th troop rotation since it assumed Hong Kong's defense responsibility on July 1, 1997. (Xinhua Photo)

The size of the forces remained unchanged in both personnel and weaponry after the rotation, said Colonel Cheng Dongfang, spokesman for the PLA garrison troops in Hong Kong.

The annual rotation started at 00:00 a.m. Tuesday when a number of military vehicles of the ground troops rolled across the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint into Hong Kong under the escort of the Hong Kong police.

Six military helicopters landed around 10:00 AM at the Skek Kong Barracks in Hong Kong and later, six other helicopters took off and left for their base in the Chinese mainland.

The last part of the rotation was carried out at the Stonecutters Island Naval Base, involving the rotation of a missile frigate and a landing vessel.

The annual rotation was conducted in accordance with the HKSAR Garrison Law of the People's Republic of China.