Military activity at China’s Shanghai Pudong Airport last week triggered U.S. government concerns of a possible power struggle within the Chinese political or military leadership.
Shanghai's Pudong airport.
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Chinese dissident sources doubted the official explanation that militar ort was virtual y shut own Decp 1.
port was virtually shut down Dec. 1.
One source said the closure could have been the result of a behind the scenes political struggle involving Communist Party leadership.
The Party leader in Shanghai was recently fired by Chinese leader Hu Jintao over corruption charges.
Press reports quoted Chinese officials as saying the Chinese military took control of the skies near the airport for military exercises.
Several air force bases are located around Shanghai.
Chinese and other airlines declined to elaborate on the delays caused by the restrictions.
A PRC-owned Hong Kong news agency reported that an expert group involved in the exercises included the State Air Administration Committee, the Nanjing Military Region Air Force, the Navy's East Sea Fleet Aviation, the Air Force's Shanghai Command Post and the Shanghai Airports Group.
