IAG 2017's Gunsmith Master event kicks off in Korla

The Gunsmith Master event at the International Army Games 2017 kicks off in Korla, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Aug 3, 2017. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Gunsmith Master event at the International Army Games 2017 kicked off in Korla, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on Thursday.

The comprehensive game tests the skills of the maintenance battalions of military forces from across five different countries,which includes China, Russia and Kazakhstan.

The first part of the International Army Games 2017, which started on Wednesday, tested the teams' skills in towed howitzer maintenance, with groups competing in a course designed to simulate alife-like combat environment. The team of People's Liberation Army Ground Force finished in first place.

Competitions of maintaining other weapons will kick off from next week, and the events will put Chinese weaponry and military vehicles into test.

The IAG 2017, which finishes on Aug 12, is made up of 28 events, which are held across Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Some people call the comprehensive games the "military Olympics", and the Sovorov Attack, Clear Sky, Safe Environment and Gunsmith Master sections will be held in Korla.