Since its establishment in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, has paid great attention to regional security cooperation in bilateral and multilateral ways. And the China-Russia Peace Mission series anti-terror military drill also falls under the SCO framework.

Wang Xinjun, another researcher with the PLA Academy of Military Sciences, said that the joint anti-terror drill sent several important signals to the international community.

China and Russia have shown their firm resolve to join hands in fighting terrorism. Constant terrorist attacks have caused big losses and posed deadly threats to both countries, which is the basis for bilateral security cooperation, he said.

The two countries will develop strategic mutual trust and cooperation based on anti-terror cooperation. Besides combating terrorism, they will also need to establish cooperation to confront transnational drug trafficking and smuggling, prevent epidemic spreading, and protect the safety of strategic passages, so as to clear obstacles for conducting economic, technological and cultural cooperation, he said.

He added that China and Russia are among the most influential powers in the world, and they shoulder the duty and obligation of promoting regional and world peace and stability. They are now setting up a good model to create a win-win situation through mutual trust and cooperation.

Meng Xiangqing, a professor with the National Defense University, said joint military exercises between China and Russia have deepened bilateral strategic trust and promoted common understandings while protecting regional peace, security and stability.

Terrorism is a common threat to the whole world. Now anti-terrorism has entered a new phase, in which bilateral and multilateral cooperation has replaced individual action and become a more effective anti-terror mode. The China-Russia joint military drill against terrorism has provided a good foundation for international anti-terror cooperation as well, said Meng.

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Facts About Peace Mission 2013

Time: July 27-August 15, 2013

Place: Chelyabinsk, Russia

Subject: Coordinating joint commanding organs and troop units of the two militaries to carry out military operations

Phases:

1. Force projection and deployment;

2. Planning of campaigns;

3. Campaign implementation.

Chinese Participants: 646

Army Battle Group: 350 (24 armored vehicles of various types, 12 self-propelled guns and 6 helicopters)

Air Force Battle Group: 50 (5 JH-7A)

Comprehensive Support Group: 196

Directing Department: 20

Campaign Headquarters: 30

Russian Participants: 600

Ground Force: 350

Air Force Battle Group: 50 (4 Mi-24 helicopters, 2 Mi-MT helicopters and 4 Su-24)

Support Detachment: 150

Directing Department: 20

Campaign Headquarters: 30