A top military leader called the high-profile celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the service's founding an occasion for air forces around the world to conduct joint research on aerospace safety.

"Opening up (like this) has created a platform and a learning opportunity for our air force," said General Xu Qiliang during a visit to the 5th Air Division of the Jinan Military Regional Air Command. He was joined by air force leaders from 32 countries.

The celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Air Force was marked by a two-day international forum in Beijing - which attracted 350 senior air force personnel from home and abroad - as well as the general's visit yesterday to Shandong province.