The IDF Spokesman's Office will collaborate with the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Spokesman's Office. Sources inform ''Globes'' that IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Avi Benayahu and a delegation of officers today returned to Israel from Beijing, where they agreed to review cooperation between the two spokesmen's offices.
During the visit, Benayahu spoke to PLA spokesmen about issues in the Middle East and challenges facing the IDF and its units. He provided the PLA with information on various issues that the IDF Spokesman's Office has to handle.
One of the issues that the IDF Spokesman's Office raised is public legitimacy. The sources said that the PLA Spokesman's Office asked for training for spokesmen in urban combat situations, and in public diplomacy.
PLA officers will take courses in various subjects at IDF Spokesman's Office facilities. The Chinese offices will come to Israel for courses in combat photography, spokesmanship in situations of mass casualties, , and conduct vis-à-vis the public about casualties during public incidents.
The PLA officers will probably participate in an IDF Home Land Command exercise.
The IDF delegation was met with great interest in China, was hosted in the media, including the PLA newspaper.
The Israeli officers stressed that much of the visit was devoted to the sharing of information on the new media in the military sphere.
It should be pointed out, however, that while the IDF faces challenges in a developed democratic environment, with social networks, a vibrant blogosphere, and file sharing websites, the Chinese government controls all matters relating to exposure to the people, and reducing public criticism.
The IDF Spokesman's Office confirmed the report.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 25, 2010
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