New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory

Friday 17 September, 2004

CHINESE MILITARY STUDY GROUP TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE

The largest delegation of senior military staff from the People's Liberation Army will visit the New Zealand Defence Force from 20 - 22 September. The visit will assist in building relationships and increasing mutual understanding between the two countries.

32 colonels and senior colonels, members of a study group from the Chinese National Defence University, will visit Devonport Naval Base, the Army's 2nd Land Force Group in Linton, meet with senior personnel at Defence Headquarters in Wellington, and visit the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College in Upper Hutt.

The New Zealand Defence Force has a Defence Attaché based in the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, China.

The New Zealand Defence Force can supply photographs of the visit if required.

A media photo opportunity is available at 2nd Land Force Group in Linton where the delegation will receive a Powhiri (Maori challenge) and Barrack Guard at the gates of the Camp.

Interviews with study group members will not be available.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Major General Fan Zhenjiang, a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom, will lead the delegation. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2000 and was appointed to his current position as Director of the Department for Strategic Studies, National Defence University in 2002.

This is the second visit by the Chinese National Defence University to New Zealand. It is the first time such a large student delegation has visited. The students are visiting as part of their strategic studies class.

The visiting students are drawn from the three branches (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the People's Liberation Army.

The strategic studies students hope that the visit will allow them to gain a better understanding of their neighbours, gain insight into New Zealand's security and defence policies, to enhance mutual friendship and to promote regional peace and security.

Programme Outline:

Saturday 18 September

* Study group arrives in New Zealand

Sunday 19 September

* Sightseeing in Auckland area

Monday 20 September

* Study group receives a Powhiri at the Te Tauamoana (Navy) Marae, Ngataringa Bay, Auckland

* Visit Devonport Naval Base

* Lunch at Devonport Naval Base

Tuesday 21 September

* Major General Fan to pay courtesy call on Air Vice Marshal David Bamfield, Vice Chief of Defence Force. Gift exchange.

* Study Group attends briefings and discussions provided by Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence.

* Powhiri and Barrack Guard for the study group at 2nd Land Force Group, Linton.

* Tour Linton Military Camp

Wednesday 22 September

* Study group attends presentation at the Centre for Strategic Studies.

* Study group visits New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College in Trentham, Upper Hutt.

* Lunch at Upper Hutt Chinese restaurant

* Depart New Zealand

[ends]

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