The China-Russia joint military exercise, "Peace Mission 2005,"
ended in east China’s Shandong
Province on Thursday after the successful maneuvers performed
by 10,000 troops from the Russian and Chinese navy, air force, army
and paratroops.
"Through the exercises, the two armed forces enhanced their
friendship and mutual trust, and improved their capabilities to
meet new challenges and threats and to fight international
terrorism, extremism and separatism," Chinese Defense Minister Cao
Gangchuan said at the closing ceremony.
The exercise was neither aimed at any third party nor did they
concern the interests of any third country, but merely reflected
the common aspirations of the two countries for peace, unity and
cooperation, and friendship from generation to generation, Cao
said. Cao is also vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military
Commission and state councilor.
The exercise was a demonstration of the firm determination of
both countries to safeguard world peace and promote common
development, he added.
This exercise, dubbed "Peace Mission 2005," began on August 18
in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. It moved to the
Shandong Peninsula in east China the following day.
Cao said the successful joint military exercise also embodied
the positive outcome of cooperation between China and Russia in the
area of defense and security.
He attributed the "high-level and high-quality" exercises to
careful preparation, good organization and close coordination,
saying all this showcased the brilliant military skills and
commanding ability of the two armed forces.
"China is ready to work with Russia and other countries to
safeguard world peace and stability, to build a harmonious world of
common prosperity, and become a major constructive force for a new
international order," he said.
As for regional cooperation, the Chinese defense minister said
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which groups China and
Russia with four Central Asian countries, has played an
increasingly important role in maintaining regional peace and
stability and promoting economic development.
China and Russia will mark the 10th anniversary of the
establishment of their strategic partnership of cooperation next
year.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at the closing
ceremony that Russian and Chinese troops displayed a very high
level of skill and tactical expertise during the eight-day
exercise.
Russia and China would hold new joint military exercises in the
future and the friendship between the two armed forces will become
a major guarantee of peace in Asia-Pacific and the world at large,
he said.
"Only when we are closely united can we meet new challenges and
threats," Ivanov added.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization observer delegates
including Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairullaev, Kyrgyz
Defense Minister Ismail Isakov, Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Abai
Tasbulatov and Uzbekistan Deputy Defense Minister R. Niyazov
attended the closing ceremony.
(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2005)
