(China Armed Forces No.21)
On May 8 and 9, a group of 97 foreign military attachés to China and their spouses, representing 54 countries, visited the South China Sea fleet of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in Zhanjiang, south China’s Guangdong Province. They were given a detailed briefing on the development of the Chinese navy aboard the new-generation missile frigate Yueyang, and visited the base of a Marine Corps brigade.
On the morning of May 9, the attachés visited the frigate Yueyang at a naval port in Zhanjiang. “Welcome aboard the frigate Yueyang,” said Captain Cui Yonggang in English, and presented each visitor with a cap of the frigate. After Captain Cui gave them a briefing of the frigate, the visitors were divided into two tour groups for detailed presentations and question-and-answer sessions.
On the bridge, enthusiastic Nigerien Defense Attaché Namata Oumarou said the visit had inspired a yearning for the naval life. “Our country does not have navy, but if warships could sail in a desert, my dream would come true,” he said, jokingly.
After visiting the Yueyang, the military attachés arrived at the Marine Corps brigade base. Austrian Defense Attaché Heinz Assmann, also head of the visiting group, described the English introduction and answers by Brigade Chief of Staff Hu Dehai as “excellent and humorous.”
Later, the attachés watched a Marine Corps basic training demonstration at the brigade training ground.
Four marines carrying automatic rifles carried out rapid fire at 40 silhouette targets from a distance of 100 meters. The 40 targets fell as each shot rang. In rapid succession, four other marines hit 20 targets, which were divided into five groups from left to right, with light machine guns from 120 meters.
“Amazing! Great!” exclaimed Koulandimioko Albertine, of the Republic of Congo, the sole woman assistant military attaché in the group. The foreign visitors were deeply impressed and applauded the skills of the marines.
At that moment, explosions rang from the training ground, blowing dirt 10 meters into the air, and the smoke of gunpowder wafted to the grandstand.
An interpreter explained that the ongoing demonstration had moved to team tactics, simulating an assault on a terrorist base and creating conditions for the follow-up troops to mop up.
The marines approached the “enemy” region in formation under covering fire. They sometimes fired at enemy firing points, sometimes conducted quick approaches in alternating cover, and sometimes used heavy firearms or grenades. Sound of gun shots and explosion rang one after another, and the pungent smell of firecracker spread in the air. After a fierce assault, the marines finally overran the “enemy” line and successfully fulfilled their task. Warm applause came again from the grandstand.
The military attachés inspected the Marines Corps equipment after the demonstration.
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