CHINESE ARMY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29764, 6 March 1962, Page 5

CHINESE ARMY

‘•Well-Trained Soldiers” >N Z Press Association I WELLINGTON. March 5. Communist China was building a vast army of wellequipped and extremely welltrained soldiers, the Cotn-mander-in-Ohief of Far East Land Forces (General Sir Nisei Poett) said today. Sir Nigel Poett is here on a fortnight's visit to see political and military leaders. He and his wife will end it with five days with Lady Poett’s father. Mr E. J. Herrick, of Hawkes Bay. At a newspaper conference he said China was not relying solely on vast numbers of men to overwhelm an enemy The Chinese soldier was well trained and equipped. "And they are good soldiers, too. Anyone who underestimates rhe Chinese soldier is a very foolish fellow." said Sir Nigel Poett. He suggested that the Chinese still had a very big internal problem to solve before they could go venturing too far afield. But the pressure in South-east Asia was that of China, not Russia. His problem was to maintain the stability in Asia and in this respect he paid high tribute to the Ist Battalion. New Zealand Regiment, at present in Malaya, he said. “They have made a tremendous impression, and not only in the military field. In Rugby they have destroyed everyone in Malaya, and have now moved to Hong Kong. “Tlie New f Zealanders are extremely good soldiers and their part in the Commonwealth brigade plays an important part in the stability of the area. “The brigades presence ■hots the determination of the Commonwealth to make a contribution to stability.”