Defence Minister visits Lanzhou Military Area Command
Dated 1/6/2006
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New Delhi: The Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee visited the Headquarters of the Lanzhou Military Region in China today. He was given a warm reception by General Li Qianyuan, Commander Lanzhou Military Region.
Gen Li escorted Shri Mukherjee to his office, which is a departure from usual protocol and presented him with a traditional Chinese calligraphic painting done by himself in honour of the Guest.
The inscription on the scroll reads, 'Carry on friendship in harmony and common prosperity - presented to His Excellency Minister of Defence Pranab Mukherjee by General Li Qianyuan in the hope that friendship between our two countries will last for ever.'
Later the Indian delegation was given a detailed briefing on the role and functions of the Lanzhou Military Area Command. This was followed by an interactive discussion between Indian delegation and the officers of the Lanzhou Military Region on issues of mutual interest such as anti-terrorism, disaster management, training of military personnel, handling internal conflict situations and information warfare.
The Headquarters of Lanzhou Military Region is located at Lanzhou in Gansu Province. The Military Region controls the largest physical area compared to other military regions. It borders Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pak Occupied Kashmir and India.
Presently it retains its importance even though the region is sparsely populated due to its location and the fact that it controls the Lopnar region holding the nuclear research and missile testing facilities in West China. Furthermore, the area encompasses the sensitive Xinjiang Province which is also oil rich.
