Russian girls welcome the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers' arrival at a railway station in Chelyabinsk of Russia on Aug. 3, 2007. The Chinese railage army to take part in the joint anti-terrorism drill, "Peace Mission 2007", all arrived in Russia on Friday. A total of 1,600 soldiers from China's army and air force -- including airborne and logistic units -- will take part in the joint anti-terrorism drill sponsored by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from Aug. 9 to 17.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug.4 -- The joint anti-terror military drill to be held by the six countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Russia's Ural Mountains will serve as a "deterrence" to terrorists and safeguard regional stability, a senior Chinese military officer said on Friday.

    "The significance of the joint drill is multisided in that it is important for the six SCO militaries to reinforce their capabilities of countering terrorism collectively and intensify partnership in defense affairs," General Xu Qiliang, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, said at a military airport in Chelyabinsk.

    Xu arrived here to participate in the joint military exercise launched by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, scheduled on August 9-17.

    It is the largest ever held by the six SCO members.

    "Most importantly, the drill will play a positive role in safeguarding the stability of the region," Xu said.

    He is also the Chinese commander-in-chief of the joint exercise.

    The dual location exercise, codenamed "Peace Mission 2007", will be held in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and at the range of the Russian Army's 34th Motorized Rifle Division near Chebarkul town, about 80 km west of Chelyabinsk, in Russia's Volga-Urals Military District.

    A total of 1,600 soldiers from China's army and air force - including airborne and logistic units - will take part in the drill. By Friday afternoon, all of the Chinese troops participating in the exercise had arrived.

    This is the first time the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent so many soldiers and armaments to such a far away place.

    "This is a both a challenge and a test for the Chinese army in its long-distance mobile capability, and has been seen, they have well fulfilled their mission," Xu said.

    Leaders of the six SCO countries and their defense ministers will watch the exercise on August 17.

    (Source: China Daily)