A joint anti-terrorism military exercise, sponsored by the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and slated for Aug. 9-17,
will enhance the exchange among SCO member countries and improve
their counter-terror capabilities, experts said.
The first joint exercise was carried out on Monday at the
Chebarkul drill site near the Ural Mountains city of
Chelyabinsk.
"We may hope that all tasks in the interests of the SCO member
states will be successfully fulfilled," Russian commander Vladimir
Moltensky said after the two-hour exercise.
"The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is not aimed against
third countries and operates only in the interests of member
states," he added.
The "Peace Mission 2007" drill, involving about 6,500 military
personnel from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan, will be carried out in Chelyabinsk and Urumqi,
capital of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Commanders from the six countries will hold consultations and
make decisions in Urumqi upon receiving alert of an assumed
terrorist attack on a Russian town and the field practice will then
continue in Russian military ranges near Chelyabinsk.
"In terms of both scale and content, the joint drill will
reflect the trends of counter-terror exercises and bears an
historic significance as a milestone in military cooperation among
the six SCO member countries," said Zhen Shouhua, a researcher with
the Chinese Academy of Military Science.
"The joint drill will not indulge in empty talk but practice
coordination and command in anti-terror combat. It will also serve
to maintain regional peace and stability," Zhen said, noting that
it is difficult for one country or its military forces to crack
down on all terrorist organizations and activities that continue to
grow worldwide.
Heads of states and defense ministers of the SCO member
countries will attend the live fire exercise on Aug. 17, which will
involve airborne troops, special task forces, armored vehicles,
military helicopters and fighters, said Qian Lihua, deputy general
director of the Chinese troops.
Such drill has been expanded with increasing member countries,
combined troops and a much more complicated situation since the
first of its kind was held in 2002, Qian said.
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"We can only cope with security challenges, and secure peace and
development by enhancing cooperation when terrorism, separatism and
extremism are active in the region," Qian said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2007)
