150,000 Macao compatriots signed to thank the troops stationed in Macao for their assistance in disaster relief.

　　Xinhua News Agency, Macau, November 24th (Xing Chao Wang Chenxi) On the afternoon of 24th, more than 20 people, including the Macao SAR Government, the Liaison Office of Macau and representatives of Macao associations and people, came to the camp of the PLA troops stationed in Macau with the blessings and thanks of more than 150,000 Macao compatriots, and presented 17 exquisite autograph books to the troops stationed in Macao.

　　Dou Guojie, director of the Political Department of the Macao Garrison, accepted the thank-you letter and the signing list on behalf of the Garrison, and said that he would cherish this heavy and precious gift, cherish the true love of Macao compatriots and make new and greater contributions to maintaining Macao’s long-term prosperity and stability.

　　In August this year, the strongest typhoon "Tiange" in 53 years attacked Macao head-on, causing serious damage to the lives and property safety and normal life order of Macao compatriots. With the request of the Macao SAR government and the approval of the central government, the troops stationed in Macao assisted the SAR government in disaster relief for the first time. The officers and men fought bravely for three days and nights, day and night, rain or shine, and won the full affirmation and warm praise of Macao compatriots.

　　"The motherland is our great mother, and the PLA soldiers are our good brothers whose blood is thicker than water." Zhu Meitao, president of the Macao Association of Macao Emotion Culture and Art, who came to the Taipa camp, said, "After the typhoon, many Macao compatriots often told me to thank the People’s Liberation Army. Later, our association took the lead in consultation and went to various disaster areas, schools, shops, associations, vegetable markets and other places to collect signatures and thank-you letters. I want to cry every time I organize a signature activity. The person who signed the autograph said, "We can’t have everyone come to see the People’s Liberation Army. Be sure to give them our autographs and thank-you letters."

　　Huang Yuanfang, assistant principal of Lingnan Middle School in Macau, said that students from middle schools, primary schools and kindergartens of the school participated in the signature activities and learned that the signature was dedicated to the People’s Liberation Army. Everyone signed it very seriously, especially the children in the kindergarten, under the guidance of the teacher, also made heart-shaped hand-delivered to the People’s Liberation Army. After listening to the students, many parents also offered to sign their names when sending them to school, and sincerely wanted to thank the PLA.

　　After the presentation ceremony, all the guests watched the feature film "Help each other through thick and thin" produced by the troops stationed in Australia, and visited the Military History Museum of the troops stationed in Australia.

　　According to reports, the signing activity was strongly supported by Macao citizens. As of November 10th, more than 150,000 people have signed the thank-you note.