HONG KONG, April 8 (Xinhua) -- China's Central Military Commission (CMC) has appointed Maj. Gen. Chen Daoxiang commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), a spokesman with the PLA Garrison in the HKSAR said Monday.

The appointment was announced Monday by Yuan Yubai, commander of the Southern Theater Command of the PLA, in accordance with a decree signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also serves as chairman of the CMC.

Chen, former deputy chief of staff of the Southern Theater Command, pledged to lead the PLA Garrison in the HKSAR in fulfilling its defense duties assigned by the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the HKSAR Garrison Law of the People’s Republic of China, in resolutely safeguarding the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country, and in protecting the security, prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.