The Government Information Agency (GINA) said an agreement was signed yesterday morning by GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Michael Atherly, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, and China's Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. SongTao, on behalf of the People's Liberation Army of China.

The signing took place at GDF headquarters Camp Ayanganna.

The two teams will concentrate on martial arts and on training the GDF military band, the agency said.

The martial arts team is expected is expected to arrive in the country in February for one year while the military band instructors are due to arrive in March for six months.

GINA said training in martial arts will be done at the Colonel John Clark Military School, Tacama, on the Berbice River.

Communication Officer for the GDF, Stanford Conway said the martial arts instructors will provide training to GDF officers who in turn will be capable of training other members of the GDF.

Guyana and the People's Republic of China established formal diplomatic relations on June 27, 1971 and the programme of cooperation between the two countries has been expanding over the years.