Recap: Major PLA-related joint anti-terror military exercises and trainings

Source: Xinhua | 12-21-2007 17:30

KUNMING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Indian armies kicked off their first-ever joint anti-terrorism military training code-named "Hand-in-Hand 2007" in southwest China Friday morning. Both armies dispatched about 100 ground troops for the training.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted a string of joint anti-terrorism military exercises and trainings with foreign armies since 2002, endeavoring to enhance mutual-trust, strengthen exchanges in the field of anti-terrorism, deter "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Following are some major events in this regard:

--- "Exercise-01", Oct. 10-11, 2002, China-Kyrgyzstan

The PLA and the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan held a joint anti-terror military exercise code-named " Exercise-01" on the border of the two countries.

It was the first time for PLA to hold a joint military maneuver with a foreign army and also the first bilateral anti-terror exercise conducted by members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Hundreds of troops from both sides participated in the exercise.

--- "Coalition-2003", Aug. 6-12, 2003, SCO member nations

Armed forces from the then five SCO member countries including China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan took part in a joint anti-terror exercise code-named "Coalition-2003" in Kazakhstan's border city of Ucharal and Ili, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

It was the first exercise of its kind within the framework of the SCO and also the first time China participated in multilateral joint military maneuver. About 1,300 troops participated in the exercise.

--- "Friendship-2004", Aug. 6, 2004, China-Pakistan

PLA and the Armed Forces of Pakistan held their first-ever joint anti-terrorism exercise code-named "Friendship-2004" in Xinjiang's Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, which is located on the Pamirs at over 4,000 meters, bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. About 200 border troops from both sides participated in the drill.