SCO members begin anti-terror drill in Kazakhstan

PLA Daily 2003-08-07

　　UCHARAL, Kazakhstan, Aug. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Five member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) began on Wednesday a joint anti-terror exercise, the first of its kind within the framework of the SCO, in Kazakhstan's border city of Ucharal.

　　More than 1,000 soldiers from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan took part in the drill, codenamed "Coalition 2003."

　　Li Qianyuan, head of China's Lanzhou Military Command, Kazakh Defense Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev and other dignitaries witnessed the opening ceremony of the exercise.

　　The exercise will be operated in two phases, the first phase in Kazakhstan, the second in China.

　　During the first phase, coalition soldiers launched a mock battle to rescue air passengers held by a gang of international terrorists.

　　In the second phase, soldiers will conduct a simulate fight against dozens of terrorists, who infiltrated in Ili, China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

　　The exercise is aimed at exploring ways of fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, which have threatened territorial integrity and national safety in many countries.

　　Officials said the exercise will help strengthen mutual trust and cooperation in the military field among member states, safeguard regional security and stability and increase the coordinating capabilities in the fight against terrorists.

　　(Aug. 6, Xinhuanet)