Hu Changming, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) gives an interview after the press conference.

On May 18, 2008, a new face appeared at the press conference held by the State Council Information Office – Hu Changming, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense. Together with other officers, he presented the role of the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police in earthquake relief.

Hu is the first spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense. His appearance heralds the launch of China's Military Information Service system.

Back on December 27, 2007, Cai Wu, then minister of the State Council Information Office, confirmed that the creation of an Information Department to the Ministry of National Defense was under way. But no further details were provided at that stage.

On January 8, 2008, while still in development, the Information Department of MND announced that Timothy Keating, the US Pacific Command Commander-in-chief, would visit China from Jan 13 to 16. However, no information about the Department's spokesperson himself was released.

On January 12, 2008, the MND for the first time publicized information on the structure of its Information Department. The authority confirmed that this department would provide information services for both domestic and foreign media.

In February, a critical period during which China was suffering from severe storm problems, news relating to the relief efforts of the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police was released in the name of the Information Department of the MND.

But it was not until May 18 that Hu Changming, director of the Information Department, appeared at the press conference in the capacity as the Spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense.

"We recognize that the devastating earthquake requires that we accelerate the pace of communication processes," said Luo Yuan, a Major General with the Academy of Military Science. "Time waits for no man. This sudden disaster has raised the priority level. Whether you are ready or not, you have to march forward. If there is a need, if it is beneficial for the overall situation, we will do our best even if we are not yet completely prepared."

Yao Yunzhu, a researcher from the same academy, pointed out that the army was the mainstay of disaster relief, and therefore the provision of information on the army was an important aspect of the government's response to emergencies -- "It's the right time for the Spokesperson to make public appearance."

In addition to the spokesperson, officers from the four Military Headquarters (the General Staff, General Political, Logistics, and Armament Departments) also joined the press conference. They answered the journalists' sensitive questions in such a candid manner that some media adjudged it a "proper" press conference. The speakers corrected certain rumors, confirming that all nuclear facilities were absolutely safe, and that no parachutists were lost in jumps.

Luo Yuan expressed his excitement thus: "The most striking feature of this press conference is that authoritative information can outpace rumors." He also observed that there were further opportunities for improvement, for example that the spokesperson's language style and means of expression should be geared to the needs of the public and the media.

(China.org.cn by Fan Junmei, May 28, 2008)