China, India kick off joint anti-terror military training

A Chinese soldier performs smashing brick on head during the Qigong performance, a system of deep breathing exercises, at the China-India Joint Anti-Terrorism Training code-named "Hand-in-hand 2007" in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 21, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

The joint anti-terrorism military training between Chinese and Indian ground troops aimed to enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang Thursday.

Qin said that the training aimed to enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust between Chinese and Indian armed forces, strengthen their exchanges in the field of anti-terrorism, deter the "three evil forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and promote the development of the bilateral strategic partnership.

China and India, as two important neighboring nations and two largest developing nations, enjoy consensus in safeguarding world peace and promoting development and cooperation, he noted.

The joint training will last till Dec. 27. During the period, Chinese and Indian soldiers will display their own weapons and equipment, jointly accomplish a series of training tasks including psychological training and tactics training, and launch a drill of rescuing "hostages" from the hands of "terrorists."