China, India wrap up joint military exercise

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-26-2007 13:51

The armies of China and India have concluded their first-ever joint anti-terrorism military training manouevres. The exercise was conducted in southwest China's Yunnan province.

An Indian officer awards an honor badge to a Chinese soldier during the closing ceremony of the China-Indian joint anti-terrorism training, code-named "Hand-in-Hand 2007", near Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 25, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

The military drill on Tuesday was the third and final stage of the five-day joint training near Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

In this drill, Chinese and Indian forces destroyed a mock terrorist training camp.

The week-long anti-terrorism exercise, called "Hand-in-hand 2007" involved 100 troops from each country.

The exercise was the first of its kind in nearly 50 years since the two countries fought a brief border war in 1962.

The exercise was part of the provisions of a 2006 Memorandum between the two countries' defense ministries. It was designed to improve exchange and cooperation.

China also says the exercise would combat the three forces of separatism, extremism and terrorism.

Indian officers say a similar exercise will be held in India next year.

In recent years, China and India have tried to expand trade and diplomatic ties. Territorial disputes persist but the two countries have been holding many rounds of negotiations to settle border lines.