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CDF
GEN Peter Cosgrove inspects the People’s Liberation Army
Guard of Honour in China where he saw many of the country’s
defence capabilities.
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CDF
General Peter Cosgrove and a delegation have visited the People’s
Republic of China to reinforce the importance Australia attaches
to its defence relationship with China.
This was GEN Cosgrove’s fi rst offi cial visit to China. His predecessor,
Admiral Chris Barrie, also visited in 2000.
CDF’s visit, from August 27-31, continued the strong pattern of
senior-level engagement between Australia and China, which underpins
the broader bilateral defence relationship.
It provided a valuable opportunity for GEN Cosgrove to witness
some of the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
and discuss issues of mutual interest, such as North Korea, Taiwan
and regional security issues.
CDF’s program included meetings with the Chinese Vice Foreign
Minister and former Chinese Ambassador to Australia, Zhou Wenzhong;
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.
CDF saw an Army fi repower demonstration at Beijing’s 3rd Garrison
Division and visited the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an where
the famous Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin Shihuang were discovered
in 1974.
While in Xi’an, he 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 of Qingdao, home to the PLA’s
North Sea Fleet, provided an ideal opportunity for CDF to lay
the groundwork for HMAS Anzac and Maritime Commander Australia’s
visit there in early October.
