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China Opens Military Procurement to Civil Bidders

   VOA News  June 08, 2011

Photo: voa

   Chinese state media say the government has for the first time published
   a list of companies that are authorized to supply military equipment.
   The official Xinhua news agency said Wednesday that 1,600 suppliers are
   named on the list, which is being made public as part of a reform of
   the military procurement process.
   The agency quotes an unidentified government source saying the reforms
   are aimed at introducing competition among suppliers and allowing civil
   manufacturers to bid for contracts. About 900 of the 1,600 companies on
   the list are civil manufacturers.
   Xinhua says President Hu Jintao has been seeking the changes as part of
   a broader reform of the government's procurement process. It quotes the
   government source saying the changes should improve the overall quality
   of the military's equipment.