China, Russia plan to hold military drill
By Hu Xiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-08 02:03

China and Russia are expected to hold a joint military exercise next year, the first conducted by the two countries since a joint naval exercise in 1999.

Russia's missile destroyer. [China Daily/file]

Visiting General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of China and Russian Defence Minister Sergi Ivanov revealed the news in Moscow in a memorandum, without providing the exact location, date or scale of the exercise.

The Chinese delegation, led by General Guo, said the exercise will jointly confront current new challenges to safeguard world peace.

The two countries' general staffs will later discuss the scope of the operation, according to the Chinese delegation.

Guo said military relations between Russia and China constitute a key component of bilateral relations. Ties between the two armies are developing on a healthy and stable path, he said.

The China-Russia strategic partnership plays an important role in global security and stability, Guo said, expressing hope the neighbouring states will continue efforts for mutual development.

Ivanov hailed on-going military ties with China, adding that effective collaboration and exchanges have already been achieved.

Joint military-technical efforts are an important part of "the entire fabric of relations between Russia and China," Ivanov was quoted by Itar-Tass.

The Russian Pacific Fleet destroyer Burny and missile cruiser Varyag visited the port of Shanghai in October 1999. And the two vessels also participated in exercises with warships from China's Eastern Fleet before.

Beijing-based military observers and experts say such operations between China and Russia will have a positive impact in maintaining safety and stability in central Asia.

Goodwill visit:British Royal Navy Vice-Admiral Andrew Reed (left) is greeted by a member of the welcoming Chinese navy band in Shanghai. Reed is commanding the HMS Exeter, a guided missile destroyer, and a replenishment ship, the RFA Grey, during a five-day visit to the eastern metropolis. The British navy will undertake friendly exchange activities and play soccer games with their Chinese counterparts, apart from sightseeing in the city. (Inset) The Exeter docks in Shanghai. [newsphoto file]

"The joint exercise by the key players in the region highlights the commitment of the countries for taking steps that will increase mutual trust and understanding and will enhance mutually beneficial and broad-based co-operation in the military field," said Rear Admiral Yang Yi, director of the Institute for Strategic Studies of the National Defence University.

"As a gesture to actively participate in military co-operation, both multilaterally and bilaterally, a series of exercises has shown China's determination to fight against threats from traditional and non-traditional security fields," Yang said.

The military expert said that as China's image rises on the world stage, its military forces have stepped up their co-operation in non-traditional security fields -- both regionally and internationally -- in recent years.

They are pursuing a new security concept of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and co-ordination,'' the career naval officer said.

Noting that Russia cherishes relations with China, Ivanov expressed a willingness to strengthen bilateral military collaboration within the framework of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO).

The regional group organized terrorist interdiction exercises last year involving forces from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The Chinese navy has in recent months held similar exercises with ships from Britain, France, India and Pakistan.

"Such co-operation, if it continues, will also play a major role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world at large,'' Yang said.

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