China pushes peaceful military
China stresses its peaceful intentions as modernising air force celebrates 60 years.
Script:
Chinese President Hu Jintao is reassuring air force leaders of
30 countries that China's military intentions are peaceful, as the
nation's air force celebrates the 60th anniversary of its
founding.
Recent comments from a top Chinese air force brass has worried
some analysts in the United States, but Hu looked to quell any
concerns Friday.
(SOUNDBITE) Chinese President Hu Jintao saying (Mandarin):
"We shall never engage in military expansion or an arms race,
and never threaten any country militarily"
Like the rest of the People's Liberation Army, its air force is
trying to modernise and develop home-grown technology.
But experts say the success of its home-grown fighter and bomber
programmes has been mixed, with China still very dependent on
imported technology.
China has not yet caught up with U.S. technological
capabilities, the supplier of Taiwan's air force.
On October 1 China celebrated the 60th anniversary of Communist
rule with a bold display of its growing military might, which
included an air force flyover.
Kitty Bu, Reuters, Beijing.