PLA air-defense troops first open to overseas media (2)

（China Military Online）  08:43, August 01, 2013  

LANZHOU, July 31 (ChinaMil) -- An air-defense brigade under the Lanzhou Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) was open to 70-odd reporters from nearly 50 Chinese and overseas media at 13:55 on July 29, 2013, marking the official start of the 6th "Media's Chinese military Visit".

According to Senior Colonel Geng Yansheng, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Chinese and overseas reporters are allowed to visit troops stationed outside of Beijing together for the first time in the activity, and meanwhile, this is the first time for the PLA to open its air-defense troops to Chinese and overseas media, and also the first time to make the designation of the responsible troop known to the public.

During the activity on the very day, the Chinese and overseas reporters watched a video clip on the brigade, and Chen Xifeng, commander of the brigade, gave a briefing on the brigade and answered reporters' questions. Afterwards, the reporters watched static display and actual operation of the weaponry and equipment of the brigade. Meanwhile, 30-odd officers and men of the brigade were interviewed by the reporters.

According to a briefing, the "Media's Chinese Military Visit" is organized around August 1 every year since 2008 by the related departments, such as the State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the MND and the General Political Department (GPD) of the PLA, aiming to let the world know the real Chinese military.