South China Morning Post Wednesday, June 9, 1999
Top-level PLA visit to Russia sends Washington strong signal
OLIVER CHOU
The visit of a high-level PLA delegation to
Russia is a strong signal from Beijing to
Washington over the US-led Nato bombing of
the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, according to
analysts.
General Zhang Wannian, vice-chairman of the
Central Military Commission, led a delegation
to Moscow on Monday. Analysts said the
seniority of delegation members was unusual.
General Zhang took with him a selection of
PLA generals in charge of military intelligence,
armaments, the navy and air force, as well as
the regional commander of areas close to
Russia.
One military analyst said: "Beijing has kept a
busy schedule for military exchanges in the
past month, but none involves a Western
power, except for the visit of the Australian
Defence Minister. The Russian navy
commander and deputy chief of staff were in
the Chinese capital in the past two weeks."
Another analyst added: "It is by far the most
vocal gesture Beijing has sent to Washington
since it suspended military exchanges with the
United States after the embassy bombing.
"The portfolios of delegation members, mainly
in hardware and weaponry systems, suggest
the tour is likely to yield substantive results,
such as arms agreements. But there is no way
to know how far Russia will really help."
Xinhua reported that General Zhang would
hold talks with Russian leaders, including
Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev, on bilateral
co-operation and international security.
In Moscow, the 71-year-old general said the
Chinese-Russian strategic partnership was "in
accordance with the fundamental interests of
both countries and beneficial to the peace,
stability and development of the Asia-Pacific
region and the world".