The second phase of
Sino-Russian joint military exercise started in east China's
Shandong Peninsula Saturday morning.
The new phase of the exercise, dubbed "Peace Mission 2005,"
mainly focused on delivery and outspread, adjusting decisions, and
organizing coordinated actions.
Weapons and logistic and telecom support have all been ready for
the joint drill, military sources at the spot said.
The Chinese and Russian troops have already had their first
joint practice on offshore blockade, amphibious landing and
forcible separation in Shandong Peninsula and its nearby seawaters
on August 14, 15 and 16, sources said.
The whole exercise is scheduled to go through three phases,
including strategic consultation and battle planning,
transportation and deployment of troops, and combat practice. The
first phase was held in Russia's coastal city of Vladivostok.
The Russian troops involved include officers and soldiers from
paratroops, marine corps, air and naval forces. They arrived in
Shandong Peninsula since August 9.
Meanwhile, Russia's Il-76 transport plane, Il-78 refueling
plane, A-50 early warning plane, Tu-95 MS and Tu-22M3 strategic
bombers, Su-24M2 bomber, and Su-27SM fighter jet will join the
combat practice, along with anti-sub vessel, destroyer, landing
craft, rescue towboat, logistic support vessel, and parachuter
combat car.
The Chinese troops, including ground forces, navy fleets, marine
forces, air forces and paratroops, have already assembled in
Shandong Peninsula and conducted one-side practice since
mid-July.
The eight-day China-Russia joint exercise involves nearly 10,000
troops from the two countries.
The joint drill aimed to improve the capabilities of the Chinese
and Russian armies in combating new threats, dealing with crises
and organizing coordinated actions in the backdrop of the fight
against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2005)