Military attaches of more than 100 countries yesterday attended an exhibition of the latest weaponry and technology of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its history.

The exhibition, to mark the, 80th anniversary of the PLA, also drew the ambassadors of 29 countries and nearly 2,000 other foreign visitors.

"What attracts me most are the new weapons and equipment," said Colonel Oleg Zhuravelev, Russian deputy army attache. "I think the Chinese military is becoming more and more transparent."

Many of the visitors were students of the PLA's University of National Defense.

Colonel Rolando Moyano, of the Argentinian embassy, said he is one of the 45th-term-class of senior commanding officers in the university.

"The Chinese Ministry of National Defense invited many countries' officers to study at the PLA University of National Defense. We have learned a lot about advanced commanding theories there, and have got along with the Chinese teachers quite well," Moyano said.

After testing a tank simulator, he said: "The tank is very advanced and comfortable... It's good that the Chinese military is growing with its economy."

T. Kone, an officer from Mali, is a student at the Academy of Armored Force Engineering. Along with students from 10 other foreign countries, he is studying tank technology and military theories.

Figures displayed at the exhibition show the PLA has already trained thousands of military personnel from more than 100 countries.

The other objects on display, too, drew the attention of the foreign officers. Captain SA Zakai, deputy defense attach of Nigerian embassy, said he was more interested in the Chinese military's history.

"What impresses me most is the Chinese military's love for the people and the people's love for the military," Zakai said.

Captain Shahid Baig, of Pakistani air force, was interested in the PLA's new uniforms. "I think the new uniforms are very fashionable, modern and special, very different from many other countries'."

Major-General Luo Yuan, deputy director of World Military Research Department of the PLA's Academy of Military Sciences, said: "The invitation to military attaches to the exhibition shows that Chinese military is (getting) more and more in line with international practice, more confident and transparent."

"China attaches great importance to military exchanges. Just as the New Concept of Security indicates, China seeks mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination. The Chinese military has always sought development that would benefit all, instead of zero-sum games," Luo said.

(China Daily July 19, 2007)