More than 100 Chinese and foreign journalists were invited to visit a military base on the outskirts of Beijing Tuesday. [Photo: CFP]

More than 100 Chinese and foreign journalists were invited to visit a military base on the outskirts of Beijing Tuesday for an inside view of life in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The invitation was promoted as a move to expand the military's openness and transparency ahead of the PLA's 82nd founding anniversary on Aug. 1.

The journalists were taken to military kitchen of the Third Guard Division, a garrison force to protect Beijing, where typical Chinese food attracted much attention.

Military officers and soldiers demonstrated their rifle and mortar marksmanship as well as hand-to-hand combat techniques. An anti-terror unit conducted a drill to deal with "terrorists" in a three-story building.

David Wivell, a reporter from the Associated Press Television, told Xinhua that he had visited Chinese military bases several times and was impressed every time by the PLA's competence.

The Third Guard Division, founded in 1941, has participated in more than 2,000 major battles and operations.

The motorized infantry division is mainly responsible for the ground and air defense of China's capital and anti-terror operations.