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China-Pakistan begin joint drills

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-13-2006 11:26

Around 200 troops from the People's Liberation Army are in Pakistan for joint military exercises. Two years after their last drill, the two sides now plan to focus on sharing knowledge in fighting terrorism.

This is the first time China's army has come to Pakistan for joint anti-terrorism exercises. It comes two weeks after Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a visit here.

Major General Liu Mingjiang, from People’s Liberation Army, said: "I hereby announce the beginning of the "Friendship-2006" joint anti-terrorism military exercises between the People's Liberation Army of China and the Pakistan Army."

A PLA contingent had already arrived in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi that adjoins Islamabad, to take part in the exercises. Earlier, the Pakistani military said in a statement that the focus would be to mutually benefit from each others' experience in planning and conducting anti-terrorism operations.

"The next few days, we are looking forward to a very professionally rewarding and mutually benefiting interaction. And through this enhanced interaction we look forward to sharing our common knowledge and experience." Said Major General Mohsin Kamal, from Pakistani Army.

The counter-terrorism maneuvers will run for 10 days.

Under an agreement between China and Pakistan that just came into effect on Tuesday, the two sides will assist each other in anti-terrorism actions to come. They will also step up cooperation in technological training, and have their experts meet and consult with each other on a regular basis.

 

Editor:Ji Xuewen