BEIJING, March 17 -- China and Russia will launch a joint anti-terror drill in Northeast China this year, a defense official has said.

    "The defense ministries of the two countries are currently discussing details of the drill," Qian Lihua, director of the Ministry of Defense's foreign affairs office, said.

    The drill, the second between the two troops, is aimed at promoting bilateral strategic partnership, Qian said.

    It will also mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Russian diplomatic ties, he added.

    The first such drill was held in Vladivostok in Russia and East China's Shandong in August 2005.

    In 2007, the two countries joined a multinational anti-terror drill that also brought together Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

    Qian said China will hold more exercises with its neighbors this year, as it is keen on promoting high-level military exchanges. He, however, did not elaborate.

    China has strengthened military ties with its neighbors by participating in regional exercises, Qian said.

    Since 2002, the country has joined 17 military exercises and four ground training drills with its neighbors.

    The country has sent teams to observe military drills in India and Pakistan, as well as "Cobra Gold" drills between Thailand and the United States.

    China and Australia will strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism, disaster relief and peacekeeping, Chen Bingde, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, said yesterday. He made the remarks during a meeting with Australian Chief of the Army Ken Gillespie.

    (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)