(22 Apr 1997) English/Nat
With only 70 days left before the British colony of Hong Kong is handed back to China, the Black Watch of the British Army held its last military field exercise Tuesday.
The last British resident battalion in Hong Kong, the Black Watch will take part in the handover ceremony on July 1.
Blank firing exercises were the highlight of the last military field exercise conducted by the Black Watch of the British Army in the New Territories.
Soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch are the last British regiment to guard the territory before the handover on July 1.
Since their arrival in February, they have been working closely with the Royal Hong Kong Police - assisting with anti-smuggling operations and border observations.
But their most high-profile role will be ceremonial - in the handover ceremony in July.
The battalion is scheduled to leave Hong Kong soon after the handover.
The commanding officer of the Black Watch has mixed feelings about bidding farewell to Hong Kong.
SOUNDBITE:
"We still go to Brunei, we still go to Belize and we still have various places we can go which are called tropical or sub-tropical but of course we'll miss Hong Kong because it's been a marvellous place to be for many years but we've known it's going but there you are and we're now looking to the next place.
SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Colonel Loudon, Commanding officer 1st Battalion of the Black Watch
With its tropical terrain and hot climate, Hong Kong and its surrounding area provides a
unique training ground which allows the Black Watch soldiers to practise jungle warfare skills.
For many of them, it is also an honour to be in Hong Kong during this historic moment.
SOUNDBITE:
"Well I think it will be a privilege to be the last ones to leave here, especially being the last British battalion being here. It's been I suppose an honour to actually be the last one, I'll miss it, I'll have missed the social life that's for sure. But the training here is really good as well."
SUPER CAPTION: Corporal John Lyon, 1st Battalion of the Black Watch
British troops will be replaced by the People's Liberation Army of China after the handover.
40 advance guard already arrived in the territory Monday.
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