In a whirl of ballet slippers, glittery spandex outfits and feathered bodices, China's army was determined to show a softer face in Hong Kong this weekend.

The show, titled "Love in Hong Kong," was performed by the People's Liberation Army art troupe, and enjoyed a two-night run attended by 6,000 spectators.

The spectacle mixed goose-stepping interludes with acrobatics, women flitting about the stage wearing columns of pink tulle, and men belting out operatic odes such as "Hello, Hong Kong," "I'm By Your Side," and "Hong Kong's Better Tomorrow."

A giant screen backdropped the performance, broadcasting shots of army personnel riding tanks, kissing young children and doing training exercises in the mud.

Though the PLA generally tries to keep a low profile in Hong Kong to avoid ruffling local sensibilities, the gala event—timed to coincide with the 15 anniversary of the former British colony's return to Chinese rule—was just the latest in a series of similar events that have been held over the years.