The Chinese and Indian armies kicked off their first joint
anti-terrorism military training in southwest China on Friday
morning.
The two armies dispatched about 100 ground troops for the
exercise, code-named "Hand-in-Hand 2007," to Kunming, popularly
known as the "City of Perpetual Spring."
Major Gen. Xiong Zuoming, commander of the Chinese troops, said
at the commencement ceremony of the joint exercise that "both China
and India are resolutely opposed to terrorism and actively
committed to strengthening international cooperation in fighting
terrorism.
"But we must be aware that factors endangering world peace and
stability still exist. Terrorism, in particular, has become a
public enemy to the international community," Xiong told the
ceremony.
"We would like to join hands with India to make unremitting
efforts to push for building a harmonious world featuring
long-lasting peace and common prosperity," he added.
The joint exercise was intended to enhance mutual understanding
and trust, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang on
Thursday.
Qin also said that the training exercise also aimed to
strengthen the two countries' exchanges in the field of
anti-terrorism, deter the "three evil forces" of terrorism,
separatism and extremism, and promote the development of the
bilateral strategic partnership.
China and India, as two important neighbors and the world's two
largest developing nations, enjoyed a consensus about safeguarding
world peace and promoting development and cooperation, he
noted.
The exercise will run until Dec. 27. During the exercise,
Chinese and Indian soldiers will display their own weapons and
equipment, jointly accomplish a series of training tasks including
psychological training and tactics training, and conduct a drill
that involves rescuing "hostages" from "terrorists."
The joint training is being carried out to implement the
provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding for Exchanges and
Cooperation in the field of Defense signed between the defense
ministries of China and India on May 29, 2006.
Before the exercise, military expert panels from China and India
met in Kunming and Calcutta to discuss specific plans and reach a
consensus.
"This is another step to deepen our cooperation and
understanding. I am confident that both armies will benefit a lot,"
said Brig. Dadwal of the Indian army, also commander of the Indian
troops sent for training.
"We hope Chinese and Indian armies, in the future, can carry out
many more exchanges and cooperate in diversified forms and
subjects," said Wu Xiaoyi, deputy director of the Asian Affairs
Bureau under the Foreign Affairs Office of China's Defense
Ministry.
"The only aim is to further boost the bilateral relationship
that has already demonstrated good momentum of growth," he
said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2007)
