A joint anti-terrorism drill, dubbed "Peace Mission 2007," in Chelyabinsk in Russia's Ural Mountains region, will show the determination of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in the fight against terrorism, Chinese defense minister said on Wednesday.

 

The purpose of the joint anti-terrorist maneuvers "Peace Mission 2007" is to "demonstrate determination of the SCO member states in the fight against three evil forces: extremism, terrorism and separatism, as well as the common desire to ensure security and stability in the region, stimulate the general development and prosperity," Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission, State Councilor and Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said upon his arrival at the Shagol airfield outside Chelyabinsk.

 

Cao has been invited by Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to observe actions of troops in the joint anti-terrorist exercise "Peace Mission 2007."

 

Cao went to a field camp in the Chebarkul district where over 1,600 Chinese military that are participating in the maneuvers are stationed. The minister checked their living conditions and visited the Chebarkul military range where the concluding stage ofthe maneuvers will be held on Aug. 17.

 

The exercises, staged by the six member countries of the SCO, have been carried out first in China's Urumqi, and then in Chelyabinsk, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 17.

 

About 4,000 troops and 80 aircraft from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are participating in the joint exercise.

 

The joint anti-terror drill, the first of its kind involving military forces from all SCO members, will be observed by heads of state of the six nations on Aug. 17.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2007)