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Sino-Russian drill moves to China

Exercise to improve troops' abilities to fight terrorism, separatism

QINGDAO: The second phase of the on-going ``Peace Mission 2005'' joint military exercise by Chinese and Russian armies was held in east China's coastal city of Qingdao on Saturday.

The phase focused on the transportation and deployment of troops, decision making and adjustment, and organisation of coordinated actions, said Major General Zhang Qinsheng, Chinese chief of the staff for the joint exercise headquarters.

Liang Guanglie, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), witnessed the drill. In the headquarters of the North Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy, all the Chinese and Russian officers took their seats and watched a wide screen depicting the situation of the drill.

The exercise is expected to last through August 22. The two sides will try to take decisions for military actions in face of common threats. After strategic talks, the two sides deployed troops and conducted joint actions based on changes in ``the battlefield."

During the third phase, due to be held between August 23 and 25, troops will make combat practice, which will cover offshore blockade, amphibious landing and forcible separation.

So far, the Chinese and Russian troops have completed preparations for the third phase as scheduled, according to the joint headquarters. The drill kicked off in Vladivostok of Russia on August 18. On August 19, it moved to Qingdao.

The joint drill aimed to improve the capabilities of the Chinese and Russian armies in dealing with crises and organising coordinated actions in the backdrop of the fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism. — Xinhua

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