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

The drill, dubbed "Peace Mission 2007", will be carried out in Chelyabinsk in Russia's Ural Mountainous region and in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang.

The Chinese soldiers will travel a total distance of 10,300 kilometers.

"This is the first time the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent so many soldiers and armaments to such a far away place," said Qiu Yanhan, deputy commander of the Chinese troops taking part in the drill.

Some soldiers practiced simple Russian language and acquainted themselves with the background of the SCO member countries by reading books they took along.

The exercise will help deepen relations between the militaries of SCO members and enhance cooperation in defense security, said Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission.

Chinese soldiers taking part in the drill come from the army and air force, including airborne and logistic units, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Editor:Chen Ge