China to send troops to Kazakhstan for anti-terrorism drill
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More than 1,000 army and air force officers and soldiers from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) will take part in an anti-terror exercise in Kazakhstan this autumn, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said Friday.
The "Peace Mission 2010" exercise would be the seventh of its kind held under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Geng Yansheng told a press conference two days ahead of the 83rd founding anniversary of the PLA, on Aug. 1.
It would also be the largest military exercise involving the PLA and troops from other countries this year, Geng said. He did not specify exactly when the exercise would be held.
Geng said the exercise aimed to demonstrate SCO member states' determination and capacity to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, showcase their mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation, and the shared wish to protect regional peace and stability as well as to boost common development and prosperity.
Geng said the PLA was increasingly transparent in its military exercises, and asked media organizations to cover these exercises in an accurate manner.
