Media's annual Chinese military visit took in an air base and took place outside of Beijing. The trip, arranged prior to August 1's Army Day, saw 50 Chinese and overseas media attend an air defense brigade base near Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Photo: chinanews.com

In a double first, the media's annual Chinese military visit took in an air base and took place outside of Beijing. The trip, arranged prior to August 1's Army Day, saw 50 Chinese and overseas media attend an air defense brigade base near Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.

Chen Xifeng, commander of an air brigade within the 47th group army, said that his troops carried out exercises including displays of air defense missions and tactical training with the air force and army aviation.

Chen noted that much of the army's equipment has reached world-class levels and is capable of modern air defense, adding that the brigade is the first air defense base to open up for delegations from the US, the UK and other countries.

Reporters were handed media kits containing detailed information on their equipment. The Beijing-based Legal Mirror declared that this is evidence of the transparency of the military. Reuters reported that the officers "were at pains to show they had nothing to hide and the world had nothing to fear."

As a response to  media's suspicions on Chinese attitude towards overseas getting tougher with the development of military power, Chen said that the army, while proud of their military development, has shown restraint and prefer peace.

Media's annual Chinese military visit took in an air base and took place outside of Beijing. The trip, arranged prior to August 1's Army Day, saw 50 Chinese and overseas media attend an air defense brigade base near Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.Photo: chinanews.com

Media's annual Chinese military visit took in an air base and took place outside of Beijing. The trip, arranged prior to August 1's Army Day, saw 50 Chinese and overseas media attend an air defense brigade base near Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.Photo: chinanews.com