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More than a hundred journalists from China and other parts of world were invited to a rare opportunity —a first visit to the PLA Engineering Academy of Armored Forces.

"China is steadily¹ modernizing² its military and enacting³ reforms to the army and national defense⁴. Each year before the August 1 Army Day, we arrange journalist visits to our military bases. China’s increased military strength is not a threat to the world. On the contrary, it’s a positive contribution to the world," Chinese Ministry⁵ of National Defense spokesman Geng Yansheng said.

The Chinese Army is keen to showcase what it describes as highly qualified⁶ personnel and its focus on recruiting more educated soldiers, all part of reform efforts to modernize⁷ itself.

Stephen McDonell from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has made multiple visits to China’s military bases, and lauds⁸ China’s increasingly open stance.

"Other countries are looking at China’s military modernization⁹... It’s a good start," McDonell said.

Since 2008, China has opened some key military bases to visits from international journalists. China’s military is now in contact with more than 150 countries and participates in about 400 exchanges with foreign military delegations¹⁰ each year.