China will put missiles and models of the country's first atomic
bomb and hydrogen bomb on show in Beijing at an exhibition to
celebrate the 80th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army
(PLA).
"The exhibition, which begins next Monday and is free of charge,
showcases the development of the PLA and its contribution to
national security and world peace," said Guo Dehe, curator of the
Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, the display
venue in Beijing.
Advanced military weaponry will be on display, including new
types of ground-to-ground missiles, medium-range surface-to-air
missiles, fighter aircraft and new logistic outfits, said Guo.
Other attractions on display include a punchbag pummeled by late
chairman Mao Zedong when he watched a military competition, a hand
calculator used in research for the first atomic bomb, the first
national and army flags raised by the PLA Hong Kong and Macau
troops and items belonging to army martyrs and heroes.
Guo said the exhibition would simulate such scenes as the big
Yangtze River floods in 1998 when PLA soldiers rolled up their
sleeves to help victims out.
Visitors can experience driving warships and tanks at the
exhibition which runs from July 16 to August 20 and displays a
total of 970 pictures and 1,750 army exhibits on a total area of
6,540 square meters.
August 1 this year marks the PLA's 80th anniversary.
(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2007)