China's Defense Companies Are Still Shrouded In Secrecy

Visitors pass models of fighter jets manufactured by China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corp. during the Singapore Airshow at Changi Exhibition Center on Wednesday. REUTERS

Defense News: China defense companies remain secretive

China defense companies exhibit more professionally, though much remains secretive

SINGAPORE — There was a time not long ago when Chinese defense companies exhibiting at international defense shows would provide no information about their products to journalists, or for that matter, even customers.

A model of a new fighter aircraft or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on display would come with no brochure and no placard indicating even the name. It was a curious experience to ask about a model of a new weapon system only to get shrugs from Chinese representatives who appeared just as baffled by its appearance at the airshow as the journalist. Journalists would take a picture and move on, assuming that boxes of brochures in the back room of the booth would be reshipped back to China unopened.

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WNU Editor: China's defense companies may be secretive at these international defense shows, but it is stopping them from boosting military exports .... Chinese arms sales surge 143% in 5 years (Financial Times).