Question for Chinese members regarding Peace Mission 2005

[Igor01]

Just wondering what do people on Chinese internet forums say about the Peace Mission 2005?

Like for example someone on this board mentioned that people noticed how the Russians wore body armour even during airborne and amphibious missions (they learned its importance in Chechnya) and the Chinese didn't wear it at all.

I realize that there probably are many different opinions but what are some of the things people discuss in connection with the excercise?

[Xtoisè]

Chinese responce to peace mission is very good. Alot of chinese have questioned readines and equipment of PLA compared to russian forces. But all in all from responce ive heard it sounds like Russians have acquired a new brother in the face of Chinese. If you want a link to one of the forums with discussions of each phase pm me.

[I love Rachael Leigh Cook]

Like for example someone on this board mentioned that people noticed how the Russians wore body armour even during airborne and amphibious missions (they learned its importance in Chechnya) and the Chinese didn't wear it at all.

That was the only rumour that I could actually confirm somwhat with pictures, because I didn't see a single picture of PLA with armour, while the Russians wear it all the time.


There's a couple of other rumours. Some say that during the Amphib phase, the Russians wanted to postpone the attack because of rough seas, but the Chinese just went ahead and did it, and presumably none of the tanks sank and no one drowned. Some also say that the Chinese air drop went poorly, compared to the Russian one. The Chinese had one vehicle that landed on its side, and were just slower with the reorg than the Russians.

But all of the above are just rumours, and I doubt that either side will be releasing what *actually* happened, so who knows.

[budgie]

Like for example someone on this board mentioned that people noticed how the Russians wore body armour even during airborne and amphibious missions (they learned its importance in Chechnya) and the Chinese didn't wear it at all.

That was the only rumour that I could actually confirm somwhat with pictures, because I didn't see a single picture of PLA with armour, while the Russians wear it all the time.


There's a couple of other rumours. Some say that during the Amphib phase, the Russians wanted to postpone the attack because of rough seas, but the Chinese just went ahead and did it, and presumably none of the tanks sank and no one drowned. Some also say that the Chinese air drop went poorly, compared to the Russian one. The Chinese had one vehicle that landed on its side, and were just slower with the reorg than the Russians.

But all of the above are just rumours, and I doubt that either side will be releasing what *actually* happened, so who knows.

Budget. All about budgets. Russia's forces are more modern and better equipped although China's is rapidly catching up. Also until recently China's bloated armed forces have been about quantity over quality and about controlling their own population. Only in the last decade or so has the PLA been genuinely preparing to fight external enemies.

[Igor01]

Thanks for the info guys. Feel free to post if you come across any more opinions or discussions. Or simply post what you and your friends thought (if you and your friends are Chinese or of Chinese decent abroad). I am really interested in understanding what the public perception in China towards Russia, its geostrategical role and Sino-Russian military coooperation is.

[I love Rachael Leigh Cook]

Igore01 check PM!! :D

[anonymous individual]

Budget. All about budgets. Russia's forces are more modern and better equipped although China's is rapidly catching up. Also until recently China's bloated armed forces have been about quantity over quality and about controlling their own population. Only in the last decade or so has the PLA been genuinely preparing to fight external enemies.
The lack of modern warfare experience by Chinese side might have caused the PLA's poor performance, if they indeed did a poorly.

[Igor01]

Just came across an article (http://www.annews.ru/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=14691) in Russian that quotes a few things from Gen. Kolpachenko, the commander of the Russian 76th airborne division.

Among other things he notes that during one of the amphibious assaults a Chinese floating tank and an inflatable raft have sank which caused a death of 12 Chinese servicemen. According to the General there was a near-tragedy when two Russian 76th soldiers' chutes got tangled up during a paradrop, but the training and quick thinking saved the situation - one of the soldiers was able to deploy the backup chute and he held on to the other soldier until they both landed safely.

The Russians were impressed with the armament of the PLA and PLN which they thought was excellent. He also stated that compared to the Chinese the Russian airborne soldiers seemed to be better prepared to handle various missions, he noted that every day the same Russian units conducted different operations while the Chinese used different units that were specifically trained for different tasks likes airdrops, live fire excercises and tactical assault. The language barrier was a bit of an obstacle.

The 76th airborne soldiers are going to take part in Russian-Uzbek excercises in a couple of weeks, and in November they are going to be part of the first Russian-Indian military excercises to be held in India.