Lejeune Marines host People’s Republic of China Minister of National Defense

Photo By Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nygaard | The People's Republic of China Minister of National Defense Gen. Liang Guanglie is shown the inside of a barracks room by Brig. Gen. Christopher Owens, the deputy commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, during his visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 9. During the visit, II MEF Marines showcased several Marine Corps vehicles and equipment sets to highlight the Corps' emphasis on training and professional development and its capabilities and role in U.S. and global security. Liang and the rest of the Chinese delegation are in the midst of a tour of several military installations on the East and West Coasts at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. The purpose of these visits is to highlight the improvement of the U.S.'s capacity to cooperate in areas of mutual interest, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and addressing non-traditional and transnational security threats and counter-piracy.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

05.09.2012

Courtesy Story

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - A military delegation from the People's Republic of China visited Marine units aboard Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River today.

The II Marine Expeditionary Force hosted Gen. Liang Guanglie (pronounced Lee-ahng gwang Lee-eh), PRC Minister of National Defense and several senior officers of his staff during the visit, which showcased the importance the U.S. Marine Corps places on the training and professional development of all Marines. It also allowed the U.S. Marine Corps to highlight their capabilities and contributions to the United States of America and global security.

The PRC military delegation flew in a MV-22B Osprey, observed a static display of Marine capabilities and equipment and participated in a luncheon with Marine noncommissioned officers.

"I think it's very significant," said Capt. Anna Voyne, the Marine Corps' foreign area officer for the PRC. "We have very little (military to military) opportunities with the PRC."

It had been nearly nine years since the last official visit to the U.S. by the the Chinese Minister of National Defense, Voyne added.

In addition to visiting Camp Lejeune, General Liang and his delegation will visit other U.S. military bases on both the East and West coasts. This visit emphasizes the importance of improving our capacities to cooperate in areas of mutual interest, such as humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, and addressing non-traditional and transnational security threats and counter-piracy. Subsequent high-level exchanges and functional engagements will further reinforce these topics and foster greater understanding and increase mutual trust.

• Date Taken: 05.09.2012
• Date Posted: 05.09.2012 16:01
• Story ID: 88169
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US