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China is emerging from its self-imposed military isolation, cooperating with nations that were formerly anathema to Beijing's Red mandarins. Last month Beijing and Moscow finalized plans for "Commonwealth 2005," the first Russian-Chinese military exercise, which is scheduled for the fall off China's Yellow Sea coast. Now China and stalwart NATO member Turkey have launched fresh talks on military cooperation, which could include training and joint exercises. Turkish Air Force commander Gen. Ibrahim Firtina, who last held talks in Beijing two years ago, said that the object of his visit to Beijing with a delegation was is to develop military ties between the two countries. Firtina held meetings with the Chinese Chief of Staff Gen. Liang Guanglie and other military commanders. Besides military cooperation, Turkey is angling to increase its trade and investment in the Middle Kingdom, initially intending to increase its chemicals and steel exports to China with an eye to eventually transferring their production there. |