SCO commanders perform first military drill rehearsal

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-07-2007 17:32

Combat units participating in the SCO "Peace Mission 2007" joint anti-terrorism military exercise stage their maiden joint drill with real equipment and ammunitions. Seen in the picture are Chinese commanders in the command post during the drill.

Commanders from its six member countries have had their first rehearsal for Peace Mission 2007. The 9 day anti-terror military exercise involves 4,000 troops. It starts Thursday at a training base in Russian's Chelyabinsk region complete with armored cars and 70 war planes.

The first joint rehearsal focused on how troops will fight terrorism and maintain stability in the region after mass terrorist attacks. According to the strategies prepared by the six countries' directors, the forces carried out several practice missions, seizing a large area and fighting the terrorists. 1,700 Chinese troops took part in the rehearsal.

General Xu Qiliang, chief director, Chinese team, said, "We have come across some new situations when cooperating with other troops in directing, synchronized movements and strategies. We achieved the goals in these aspects as expected. "

Russia has sent experienced land and air anti-terrorism forces to the joint practice. Their chief director says the first rehearsal was very successful and proved the six SCO countries' capabilities in fighting terrorism. He says the practice is within the framework of the SCO and is not aimed at any other country.

The exercises, dubbed "Peace Mission 2007", are scheduled to run from August 9th to the 17th. They will be launched in Chelyabinsk in Russia and Urumqi in Xinjiang, China.

The six member countries of the SCO - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - will all send troops to participate in the drills.

Editor:Du Xiaodan