Source: Xinhuanet

07-25-2007 18:36

TURPAN, Xinjiang, July 22 (Xinhua) -- More Chinese officers and soldiers boarded trains here on Saturday for Russia, where they will join an anti-terrorism drill held by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

This is the last batch of officers and soldiers transported by trains to Russia along with armaments to be used in the drill.

The six member countries of the SCO -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- will stage a joint anti-terrorism drill from Aug. 9 to 17.

The drill, "Peace Mission 2007", will be carried out in Chelyabinsk in Russia's Ural mountain region and in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"They (the soldiers) will travel a total distance of 10,300 km," said Qiu Yanhan, deputy commander of the Chinese troops taking part in the drill.

This is the first time the Chinese People's Liberation Army has sent so many soldiers and armaments to such a distant drill.

A total of 1,600 soldiers from China's army and air force -- including airborne and logistic units -- will take part, according to the Ministry of Defense.

 

Editor:Chen Ge