14 August 2015

News Story: US Air Force Issues New Guidance on Contact With China

By Lara Seligman

WASHINGTON — The Air Force last week issued updated guidance on US military contact with China, marking the service’s latest effort to foster relations between the two countries.

“With the rise of [the People’s Republic of China's] influence in the international community and the increasing capabilities of the Chinese military, Air Force military-to-military relationship with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is becoming more crucial than before,”  the Aug. 5 instruction states.

The instruction provides guidelines for conducting visits by Chinese military personnel to US military installations, as well as visits by US officials to Chinese facilities — interactions the Air Force deems crucial to fostering international relations.

“The success of these visits, whether US or PRC-led, directly affects relationships between the US and the PRC, as well as our relationships with our allies and partners, and is thereby important in support of national and regional politico-military objectives,” the instruction states.

Read the full story at DefenseNews