Ma Xiaotian, chief commander of the 1,000 Chinese troops taking part in the "Peace Mission 2010" in south Kazakhstan said Thursday that the ongoing military exercise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is purely a strategic action against terrorism.

Major contributions to regional, world peace

"Peace Mission 2010" involves 5,000 troops from five of the six SCO member states -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan -- from Sept. 9 to 25. Uzbekistan is not taking part.

The ongoing exericse never targets or constitutes a threat to any country, Ma emphasized.

Ma, who is also deputy chief of the People's Liberation Army General Staff, said China's purpose in taking part in the military drills was the same as the previous six military exercises launched under the SCO framework.

"We aim to put in place a common understanding among SCO member states to further strengthen cooperation in various aspects, including national defense cooperation, maintaining regional security, peace and stability, and to show the resolution, willingness and capability of the SCO member states to fight the three evil forces of extremism, separatism and terrorism," Ma said.

China's new equipment

Ma said the Chinese weaponry used in the exercises were all new and by and large represented the latest development of Chinese troops' equipment.

Ma said China had three goals in using the new equipment.

Firstly, it showed China attached high importance to this joint exercise and defense cooperation among SCO member states, he said.

Secondly, it indicated Chinese troops' determination, will and capability to strike terrorism.

And thirdly, it promoted military transparency, Ma said.

According to the Chinese general, the Chinese air troops were assembled home in Chinese territory and took part in the exercises by long-distance projection, which was the first time in the history of Chinese air forces.

By contacting the troops of the other countries in the exercises, Chinese troops had also learned a lot of good practices and experiences, Ma said.