Colourful CDF China visit
Senior level engagement strengthens international ties

CDF, Gen Peter Cosgrove inspects members of the People’s Liberation Army guard of honour in Beijing. Photo by Col Russ Smith, Defence Attache Beijing

CDF, Gen Peter Cosgrove and his delegation, visited the People’s Republic of China from August 27-31, to reinforce the importance Australia attaches to its defence relationship with the country.

Defence Attaché Beijing Col Russ Smith said Gen Cosgrove’s visit, the first to China by a CDF since Adm Chris Barrie in April 2000, continued the strong pattern of senior level engagement between Australia and China, which underpins the broader bilateral defence relationship.

“It provided a valuable opportunity to witness some of the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as North Korea, Taiwan and regional security issues,” he said.

“CDF’s program included meetings with the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and former Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Zhou Wenzhong, the PLA’s Chief of the General Staff, General Liang Guanglie, Defence Minister and Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, General Cao Gangchuan and a range of other senior Army, Navy and Air Force commanders.

“In addition to these senior exchanges, CDF also had the opportunity to witness an Army firepower demonstration at Beijing’s 3rd Garrison Division and to visit the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an, where the famous Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin Shihuang were discovered by two farmers in 1974.”

While in Xi’an, Gen Cosgrove and the delegation were hosted by the Provincial Commander and visited the Xi’an Aircraft Corporation, which makes military and civilian aircraft, including wing components for Boeing 737s. A visit to China’s beer capital and home to the PLA’s North Sea Fleet, Quingdao provided an ideal opportunity for the CDF to lay the groundwork for HMAS Anzac and Maritime Commander Australia’s forthcoming visit there in early October.

“CDF also encouraged his counterpart, General Liang, to visit Australia later this year.”