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China and Russia are set to begin their joint anti-terrorism military exercise in Russia’s Urals region, a spokesman for the Central Military District says

‘China, Russia to begin military exercise’

China and Russia are set to begin their joint anti-terrorism military exercise in Russia’s Urals region, a spokesman for the Central Military District says.

The military exercises code-named Peace Mission 2013 will be conducted at the Chebarkul military training area in the Chelyabinsk region on Saturday, said Colonel Yaroslav Roshchupkin.

The 20-day exercise involves 1,500 ground and air forces and over 250 pieces of military hardware, including 20 aircraft and helicopters.

“After the opening ceremony, the participants will reconnoiter the terrain and start the preparation for practical drills,” Roshchupkin said.

China has dispatched over 600 personnel as well as tanks, armored personnel carriers, light reconnaissance vehicles, 120-mm self-propelled howitzers, 152-mm self-propelled guns, JH-7A fighter-bombers and helicopters to participate in the drill.

Russia and China earlier said these exercises are aimed at enhancing defense ties between the two countries.

Moscow and Beijing have held several joint military exercises since 2005 within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The SCO comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and aims to strengthen efforts to counter terrorism and radicalization among member countries, and to coordinate work in other areas such as politics and trade.

Founded in 2001, the organization aims to consolidate efforts to counter terrorism and radicalization among member countries, and to coordinate work in other areas such as politics and trade.

In recent years, the Chinese navy has participated in a series of joint naval drills in the Pacific and Indian oceans, while Chinese ground forces have taken part in land military exercises organized by the SCO.

On July 5, China and Russia conducted their biggest-ever joint naval drills ‘Joint Sea-2013’ in the Sea of Japan.

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