The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

channel for PLA military diplomacy. In early January
2008, the MND announced that it was in the process
of creating an information office that would provide
information concerning China’s military for both domestic
and international news media. 24 The spokesman
of the new Information Office, Senior Colonel Hu
Changming, made his debut on the afternoon of May
18, 2008, at a press briefing concerning the recent Sichuan
earthquake. 25 At present, the MND does not hold
regularly scheduled press briefings. Press briefings
are organized on an ad hoc basis. On August 20, 2009,
MND launched an official website to serve as a new
platform for releasing military and defense related information.
26
The establishment of an information office has
been touted as a step forward in the PLA’s transparency
toward the international community. PLA sources
argue that it represents an effort to create an interface
between China’s defense establishment and both domestic
and foreign news media. 27 In August 2008, Hu
arranged for 103 domestic and foreign journalists to
visit the PLA’s 6th Armored Division. 28 During the
visit Hu pointed out: “Several years ago, it was unimaginable
for us to have an exchange opportunity
like what we are having today.” 29 The 2008 National
Defense White Paper states that the new spokesman
system is intended to “further military exchanges
and cooperation, and enhance mutual military confidence.”
30 However, it is equally likely that the MND
Information Office and spokesman system represents
an effort to enhance centralized control over the release
of defense and military information under the
guise of transparency.
MND Website. The MND website appears to be
similar to the embassy/consulate websites in that it
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