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China launches military exercise
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-09-25 11:14
The Chinese military launched an exercise with live ammunition code-named
"Iron Fist-2004," in the Queshan Training Base in Henan Province, central China,
Saturday morning.
The exercise was carried out by a reinforced mechanized infantry division in
mountains in the training base of the Jinan Military Area Command of the Chinese
People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Some 60 foreign military leaders, observers and officers from 16 countries
observed the exercise, including Brunei, the Philippines, Tajikistan,
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
It is the first time for the PLA to invite so many high-ranking foreign
military officers to observe a military exercise, which is also the
largest-scale military exercise opened to foreign observers, said a Chinese
officer in charge of the maneuvers.
The foreign military leaders and observers are from Brunei, the Philippines,
Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The ranking officers include commander of the Brunei armed forces,
chiefs of the general staff of the Philippines and Tajikistan, and the
chief of staff of the Bangladesh army.
The exercise reflects China's diplomatic policy of "treating neighbors as
friends and partners," and the new security concept of peaceful coexistence,
mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation, according to military
sources.
It not only embodies the Chinese military's sincere hope to develop friendly
cooperative relations with the military of neighboring countries, but also
creates a chance for Chinese and foreign officers to learn from each other, the
sources said.
The exercise, which involves some PLA 10,000 officers and soldiers, is of
positive significance to promoting regional security cooperation.
In 2002, China began gradual participation in multilateral military exercises
to broaden security cooperation with other countries.
The following are military exercises that Chinese armed forces held with
foreign armed forces or those that invited foreign military personnel to observe
in recent years.
Oct. 10 to 11, 2002, China-Kyrgyzstan
The PLA and the armed forces of Kyrgyzstan held a joint anti- terror military
exercise on the border of the two countries. It was the first time for China to
hold a cross-border military maneuver with its neighbor and also the first
bilateral anti- terror exercise conducted by members of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO).
Aug. 6 to 12, 2003, SCO member nations
Armed forces from five SCO member countries including China, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan took part in a joint anti-terror exercise
named "Coalition 2003". 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 maneuvers.
Aug. 25, 2003, China
China, for the first time, invited 27 foreign military observers from 15
countries to watch military maneuvers at its largest tactical drill base in
Inner Mongolia, aiming to introduce Chinese armed forces to the world and
strengthen cooperation with foreign armed forces.
Oct. 22, 2003, China-Pakistan
On Oct. 22,2003, Chinese and Pakistani naval forces conducted a joint search
and rescue exercise off the coast of Shanghai in the East China Sea. It was the
first time Chinese naval forces held a joint exercise with a foreign counterpart
since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Nov. 14, 2003, China-India
Chinese and Indian naval forces conducted a joint search and rescue exercise
off the coast of Shanghai in the East China Sea, the first between the two armed
forces.
March 16, 2004, China-France
Chinese navy held its first-ever maritime drills with its French counterpart,
off the coast of East China's Qingdao city.
June 20, 2004, China-Britain
Chinese and British navies held joint maritime exercise for the first time,
off the coast of East China's Qingdao city.
Aug. 6, 2004, China-Pakistan
The PLA and the Armed Forces of Pakistan held an anti-terrorism exercise at
Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Uygur Autonomous Region,
bordering Pakistan.
Aug. 28, 2004, China-India
Chinese and Indian frontier troops held a joint mountaineering training, the
first of its kind between the two armed forces, in southwest China's Tibet
Autonomous Region.
Sept. 2, 2004, China
Some 50 servicemen from China and abroad observed an amphibian landing
exercise in Shanwei of south China's Guangdong Province. The group consisted of
military observers from France, Germany, Britain and Mexico.
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