In November 2010, another marine amphibious landing exercise "Jiaolong 2010" was held in the South China Sea. Armed helicopters, minesweepers, submarine chasers, landing craft, amphibious armored vehicles, assault boats and some 1,800 marines participated in this war game. More than 200 foreign cadets, from 75 countries, studying at the University of National Defense, Naval Command College and Air Force Command College, viewed this drill and exchanged opinions on the organization and command of the amphibious battle with the exercise's directors and officers from the command post. Foreign military officers were also invited to have a closer look at the weapons used in the drill, including China's latest amphibious armored vehicles.

Joint exercises with other countries

China's military forces started to participate in bilateral and multilateral joint exercises in 2002. "It has been proved that joint military drills provide an effective way for forces of different countries to enhance security, mutual trust and to learn from each other," Peng said.

Over the past decade, China has held more than 20 military drills with over 20 countries, including the United States, Russia, France, Britain, Japan and India. These exercises, covering themes from antiterror operations to maritime search and rescue and medical aid, have enhanced the participating countries' capacity to tackle non-traditional security threats.

READY TO FIGHT: A transport helicopter arrives at the Matybulak Range in Kazakhstan during the antiterror joint military drill "Peace Mission 2010' on September 24, 2010 (WANG JIANMIN)	BRAINSTORMING ON MANEUVERS: Officers from different countries discuss combat tactics at the command post during the antiterror joint military drill "Peace Mission 2010' on September 24, 2010 (WANG JIANMIN)

The most eye-catching military maneuvers involving Chinese forces are the large-scale "Peace Mission" exercises between China and Russia, which since the first drill in 2005 have developed into a series of biennial drills.

The main purpose of the "Peace Mission" drills is to deter terrorism, ethnic separatism, religious extremism and create a favorable strategic security environment for China. The drills have significantly improved regional peace and stability, enhanced strategic relations between China and Russia and raised the combat and coordination capacities of both militaries.

The series, held alternately in China and Russia, focuses on the preparation and fighting of joint antiterror wars. On each occasion approximately 2,000 military personnel, 1,000 from China and 1,000 from Russia, have taken part in the four-stage drill.

In March 2010, Pakistan's navy launched a multinational exercise "Aman 09" in its southern port city of Karachi. The Chinese navy missile destroyer Guangzhou participated in the event and attracted a great deal of media attention. The Chinese navy set six records by participating in this war game: the first time a Chinese warship carried shipborne helicopters overseas for a military exercise; the first time the Chinese navy conducted joint search and rescue missions with the ships and aircraft of other countries; the first time the Chinese navy conducted a joint inspection and arrest exercise by cooperating with foreign navy ships; the first time a Chinese warship allowed the ship-borne helicopters of foreign warships to land on its deck; the first time the latest Chinese navy missile destroyer used its weapons in a foreign country; the first time Chinese naval special force units participated in combat drills with their foreign counterparts in an exercise.