THE Chinese company awarded a $500 million contract to operate the new Port of Darwin has angrily denied suggestions it has its own "armed internal militia unit" or links to the People's Liberation Army. 
Landbridge Group won approval to take a lucrative 99-year-operating contract for the port (pictured).
Australian Landbridge managing director Mike Hughes, responding to reports in The Australian yesterday, described claims from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute as inaccurate.
He said the company's owner, billionaire Ye Cheng, was not in the army and had not served in the army.
Landbridge does not appear on a list of 120 state-owned -enterprises independently sourced by The Courier-Mail . Four Chinese state-owned enterprises did attend the recent North Australian Investment Forum.
Mr Hughes said the information on Landbridge's website was of the establishment of an "emergency response team".
"The pictures on the website show security staff at the company's petrochemical operation who are also responsible for safety and emergency accident rescue work at the facility," he said. "The photograph doesn't show armed militia. The firefighting services in China are part of the military and Landbridge's security staff are required to receive training from the firefighting services to ensure they can competently respond to emergencies at Landbridge's Petrochemical Refinery." The Australian reported that Defence experts believe the new operator of the port has extensive links to the PLA and its own militia. Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan was quoted calling for a review. But Mr Hughes said Landbridge had followed all disclosure processes.
"Landbridge made a full application to FIRB in connection with the acquisition of the Port and consulted extensively with FIRB and the Department of Defence in the lead-up to the Bid," he said.Defence Department secretary Dennis Richardson said: "No part of Defence had a concern from a security perspective in respect of the sale."