Chinese and Pakistani armed forces will hold a joint anti-terrorism drill in Qingtongxia in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from July 1 to 11, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday.

The drill, code-named "Friendship-2010," would be the third of its kind between the two countries, said ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng.

Each side was expected to send a special unit of more than 100 members to take part in the exercise, said Geng.

The exercise aimed to deepen the relationship between the two armies and promote pragmatic exchanges and cooperation while "enhancing their capabilities in fighting terrorism together and safeguarding regional peace and stability," Geng said.

China and Pakistan held their first-ever joint anti-terrorism exercise, "Friendship-2004," in Xinjiang's Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. About 200 border soldiers from both sides participated.

The second joint anti-terror military drill, "Friendship-2006," was carried out in the hills of northern Pakistan's Abbottabad. More than 400 soldiers from both armies took part.