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In
the interview with Major General Cheng Bing, commander-in-chief
of the Chinese troops in the maneuver and deputy chief of
staff of the Xinjiang Military Area Command, he told reporters
that the "Joint Anti-terrorism Exercise of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) Member Countries" in eastern Kazakhstan
and in the Ili area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
was a great success and achieved anticipated results.
Cheng
said that it was the first multilateral anti-terrorism military
exercise within the framework of the SCO and resulted from
the efforts of the heads of the SCO countries in fighting
international terrorism. Cao Gangchuan, vice chairman of the
Central Military Commission of the CPC, state councilor and
minister of national defense, signed the "Memorandum on the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States Armed Forces
Anti-terrorism Exercises" with ministers of national defense
of Kazakhstan, Tajikstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan at the summit
meeting of the SOC member countries in Shanghai on May 29
this year. And "Coalition-2003" was a result and success of
the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Charter", the "Shanghai
Convention on Fighting Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism
and the Memorandum". "Coalition- 2003" was very important
for future anti-terrorism actions by the SCO members.
"Coalition-
2003" consisted of two phases: one was from August 6 to 8
in Ucharal, Kazakhstan and the other was from August 11 to
12 in the Ili area, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,
China. The first phase involved exercises against hijackers
that held a passenger plane and eliminating terrorists across
the borders. The second phase involved hostage rescue operation
and destroying terrorist camps. In both phases, the SCO member
countries carried out joint command and live ammunition exercises.
Cheng, as commander-in-chief of the Chinese troops taking
part in the maneuver, participated in every step of "Coalition-2003"
and felt the importance of all the SCO member states attached
to the exercise. Commanders from the five countries commanded
their joint forces to encircle and annihilate the terrorists
by using special anti-terrorism equipment, information technology,
helicopters, tanks, infantry combat vehicles and self-propelled
artilleries. Soldiers from different countries virtually became
integrated in the exercise in terms of thinking, organization
and actions. Through the exercises they have enhanced their
friendship, strengthened their confidence and promoted their
cooperation.
Cheng
also touched upon the special features of the joint exercise:
First, the plan of the exercise was simply aimed at fighting
regional terrorism. Second, in the exercise, a small number
of special elite troops were employed, high-tech means and
modern weapons displayed unrivalled prowess. Third, principles
of psychological warfare and strategic concept were also applied.
And finally, different arms, military police, public security
police, militia and local governments all took part in the
exercise. The troops from different countries in the exercises
were under the same command system, and they shared information,
intelligence and communications systems and coordinated their
actions.
"Coalition-2003"
has improved the joint performance of the SCO member countries
in military anti-terrorism maneuvers and explored ways for
future cooperation.
The
fine quality, strict disciplines and strong determination
of the Chinese troops in the exercise again showed that Chinese
army is a strong, civilized and peace-loving force, and was
warmly praised by foreign troops taking part in "Coalition-
2003". He added that Chinese troops also learned a great deal
from other participants in the exercise, particularly their
realistic and efficient style and professional spirits.
Written
by Liang Yongli and Du Xianzhou
Photoed by Zhou Chaorong
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