China, Russia prepare for show of military power

China and Russia have begun preparations for a joint military drill that Beijing believes will help protect the country against terrorists and separatists, particularly after the July 5 Xinjiang riot.

Major General Wang Haiyun, a former military attaché to Russia, said on Monday in Beijing that Russia might face challenges similar to those in China because it is a large country with many ethnic groups.

“To some extent, the July 5 Xinjiang riot pushed forward anti-terrorism cooperation between China and Russia,” he said, referring to riots in Urumqi — an autonomous Uighur region — which left at least 197 people dead and more than 1,700 others injured.

Over 1,000 troops from each side will participate in the drill, named Peace-Mission 2009, across the 4,300-kilometer joint border. The military exercise is scheduled to begin on July 22, 2009.

The Chinese army has conducted several military exercises in the northeast province of Liaoning to prepare for the joint drill.

A Chinese fighter jet reportedly crashed during Sunday’s rehearsal. The fate of the two pilots aboard the aircraft is still unknown.

Moscow and Beijing held joint war games in 2005 and 2007, under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.