Visiting Colonel General Yury Baluyevsky, chief of general staff of the Russian armed forces, said in Beijing on Thursday that this year's Sino-Russian joint military exercise does not target any third country. 

"The first joint military exercise is a new form of cooperation between the two militaries," said Baluyevsky, who is on his first trip abroad since he was appointed to his post last July.

The exercise, scheduled to take place this autumn, is aimed at "improving the training capabilities of the two militaries and boosting their cooperation," Baluyevsky told reporters after meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Liang Guanglie, Thursday afternoon.

Agreements have been reached on troop composition, arms, equipment and techniques involved in the training.

"Russian paratroopers, marines and other forces will take part in the exercise," Baluyevsky announced.

Russian and Chinese military leaders are also expected to attend.

The general will also meet with Chinese state and military leaders on Friday before he leaves Beijing for Sanya, a seaside resort in southern Hainan Province.

Plans for the exercise began with a memorandum of understanding signed by Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov last July. It was publicly announced in December 2004.

Russia against any form of 'Taiwan independence' activities

Russia is against any secessionist activities of "Taiwan independence" in any form and will stick to the one-China policy, Baluyevsky said.

Baluyevsky and Liang also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two armies. 

Building and developing the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation is the choice of both nations and Russia's strategic target, Baluyevsky said, adding that Russia is willing to work with China to further the strategic partnership after the two countries and armies have scored closer ties and fruitful cooperation in recent years. 

Liang said strengthening cooperation between the two armies is an important part in furthering the partnership, which has maintained a good momentum for many years. In recent years, he said, high-level visits between the two armies have been frequent and exchanges in all fields effective. 

"Closer cooperation and exchanges between the two armies are of great importance in promoting the cooperation between the two countries and maintaining regional and international security," said Liang. 

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2005)