Tuesday, February 27, 2001, updated at 14:04(GMT+8)
China
Commander of China's Air Force Begins Visit to Four Nations
General Liu Shunyao, commander of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), left Tuesday for a formal good-will visit to Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Belgium and Turkey.
The Chinese general was invited by Chief of Ground Staff of the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force General Takegouchi Shoji, Air Chief of Staff of ROK General Yi Oksu, Chief of the Staff of the Air Force of Belgium Lt. General Michel Mandl and Commander of the Air Forces of Turkey General Ergin Celasin.
It is the first visit to Japan and ROK by a Chinese Air Force commander since China established full diplomatic relations with the two countries.
General Liu Shunyao, commander of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), left Tuesday for a formal good-will visit to Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Belgium and Turkey.