Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building
Encyclopedia
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building (abbreviated as PLA Forces Hong Kong Building) is a 113 metre, 28 floor building located within the former HMS Tamar
naval base on Lung Wui Road, Admiralty
, Hong Kong
. It serves as the headquarters of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison
. The building is still popularly known by its old name as the Prince of Wales Building (威爾斯親王大廈) and is located adjacent to the Tamar site
.
Building. It housed the head office of the British army stationed in Hong Kong until the territory's handover to the People's Republic of China
on 1 July 1997 when it was made the head office of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison. In May 2000, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
passed the Military Installations Closed Areas (Amendment) Order 2000, which renamed the former Prince of Wales Barracks to Central Barracks, and the Prince of Wales Building to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building. The renaming of the PLA head office and barracks was made in accordance with the Basic Law
and the practical situation after Hong Kong's return to China and on the basis of extensive consultation. The name, however, was not officially changed until 1 January 2002. Therefore, when the base became the Central Barracks, the old name of the building remained visible in large raised letters along the bottom of the tower for several years.
Due to its distinctive shape which likens a wineglass, the building stands out from the rest of the Admiralty waterfront buildings. Architects attribute the shape of the building to its protection. Its narrow stem with the protruding upper storeys is supposed to make it difficult to climb or attack. It is also informally known as 'the upside-down Gin bottle due to its shape. The corner of the building at the podium level which faces east (towards Admiralty MTR station) used to be a chapel
under British occupation of the barracks. There used to be a crucifix
visible on the exterior—however, during external refurbishment (including replacing the 'Prince of Wales Building' inscription in English
with its current name in Chinese), the cross was removed.
, and at Stanley Fort
. Soldiers located at these three garrisons are considered to be the cream of the PLA. The soldiers are not permitted to leave their compounds, even during off-duty times to mingle with the local populace. As a military property, the PLA Forces Hong Kong Building is heavily guarded by very alert soldiers with machine guns. It is best to photograph it from somewhere along Harcourt Road and not to attract too much attention.
HMS Tamar (shore station)
HMS Tamar was the name for the Royal Navy's base in Hong Kong from 1897 to 1997. It took its name from HMS Tamar a ship that was used as the base until replaced by buildings ashore.-19th Century:...
naval base on Lung Wui Road, Admiralty
Admiralty, Hong Kong
Admiralty is the eastern extension of central business district of the Central on the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong. It is located on the eastern end of the Central and Western District, bordered by Wan Chai to the east and Victoria Harbour to the north. The name of Admiralty refers to the former...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It serves as the headquarters of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison
People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison
The People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison is a garrison of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China responsible for defence duties of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since the sovereignty of Hong Kong was returned to the PRC in 1997...
. The building is still popularly known by its old name as the Prince of Wales Building (威爾斯親王大廈) and is located adjacent to the Tamar site
Tamar site
Tamar site , 4.2-hectare large, the former location of the naval basin attached to the headquarters of the British Forces Overseas Hong Kong, is currently the site of the Central Government Offices of the Hong Kong SAR Government at the harbourfront of Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.To the...
.
History
Constructed in 1979, the building was named the Prince of WalesPrince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
Building. It housed the head office of the British army stationed in Hong Kong until the territory's handover to the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
on 1 July 1997 when it was made the head office of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison. In May 2000, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
passed the Military Installations Closed Areas (Amendment) Order 2000, which renamed the former Prince of Wales Barracks to Central Barracks, and the Prince of Wales Building to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building. The renaming of the PLA head office and barracks was made in accordance with the Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
and the practical situation after Hong Kong's return to China and on the basis of extensive consultation. The name, however, was not officially changed until 1 January 2002. Therefore, when the base became the Central Barracks, the old name of the building remained visible in large raised letters along the bottom of the tower for several years.
Due to its distinctive shape which likens a wineglass, the building stands out from the rest of the Admiralty waterfront buildings. Architects attribute the shape of the building to its protection. Its narrow stem with the protruding upper storeys is supposed to make it difficult to climb or attack. It is also informally known as 'the upside-down Gin bottle due to its shape. The corner of the building at the podium level which faces east (towards Admiralty MTR station) used to be a chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
under British occupation of the barracks. There used to be a crucifix
Crucifix
A crucifix is an independent image of Jesus on the cross with a representation of Jesus' body, referred to in English as the corpus , as distinct from a cross with no body....
visible on the exterior—however, during external refurbishment (including replacing the 'Prince of Wales Building' inscription in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
with its current name in Chinese), the cross was removed.
People's Liberation Army in Hong Kong
The PLA maintains a number of garrisons in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In addition to the PLA Forces Hong Kong Building, there are notable garrisons at the Stonecutters IslandStonecutters Island
Stonecutters Island or Ngong Shuen Chau is a former island in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. Following land reclamation, it is now annexed to the Kowloon peninsula.-Fauna:...
, and at Stanley Fort
Stanley Fort
Stanley Fort is a military position on the south side of Hong Kong Island.The fort, which occupied a site of 128 hectares, at one time served as a garrison for the British Armed Forces in Hong Kong. After the British Army ceased to use it, the area became the Kai Chi Children's Centre and the...
. Soldiers located at these three garrisons are considered to be the cream of the PLA. The soldiers are not permitted to leave their compounds, even during off-duty times to mingle with the local populace. As a military property, the PLA Forces Hong Kong Building is heavily guarded by very alert soldiers with machine guns. It is best to photograph it from somewhere along Harcourt Road and not to attract too much attention.
See also
- People's Liberation Army Hong Kong GarrisonPeople's Liberation Army Hong Kong GarrisonThe People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison is a garrison of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China responsible for defence duties of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since the sovereignty of Hong Kong was returned to the PRC in 1997...
- Military of Hong KongMilitary of Hong KongHong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, and formerly a British crown colony. As such it has never had any military force of its own, and defence have always been the responsibilities of the sovereign power. Currently defence of the territory is the duty of...
- List of buildings and structures in Hong Kong
- Stanley FortStanley FortStanley Fort is a military position on the south side of Hong Kong Island.The fort, which occupied a site of 128 hectares, at one time served as a garrison for the British Armed Forces in Hong Kong. After the British Army ceased to use it, the area became the Kai Chi Children's Centre and the...
- Military of Hong Kong under British rule (Category)
External links
- Pongü's Travel guide article on Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building