- Title: PORTUGAL: Chinese military mission visit important airbase
- Date: 23rd October 1981
- Summary: SV INTERIOR Chinese military officials reading documents SV INTERIOR Portuguese and Chinese military chiefs. (3 SHOTS)
- Embargoed: 7th November 1981 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Portugal, Portugal
- City:
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA2R7KAA958E5RBQY0M25H01949
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: INTRODUCTION: A Chinese military mission has been touring Portugal.It has been inspecting Portuguese military installations, as well as NATO bases there.
SYNOPSIS: The Chinese team was led by Chin Jiwei, head of Peking military region.He showed keen interest in Montijo Airfield a joint NATO-Portuguese airbase equipped with Jaguar, Alpha and Fiat jet fighters.
The visitors had come at the invitation of the Portuguese general staff, who had paid a visit to China last year.It was the first such visit since China and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1979.The Chinese visitors included the heads of the navy and airforce and they were treated with ceremony and dignity.
The process of the two countries moving closer together has coincided with the growing friendship between the United States and China.Delegates from Peking try actively to promote close links with America's NATO allies.After this visit, the Chinese were due to visit the Lajes airbase in the Azores, often used by the United States as a strategic refuelling base.
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