The Sino-Russia joint military exercise codenamed Peace "Mission 2009" will help guard the countries against terrorists, particularly after the July 5 Xinjiang riot.

Major General Wang Haiyun, a former military attache to Russia and an expert in international strategy, said in Beijing that as members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), China and Russia's joint drill will help both countries protect core security interests against terrorists, separatists and extremists.

China just experienced the July 5 riot in Urumqi, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region which killed at least 197 people and injured more than 1,700.

Wang said Russia, a large country with many ethnic groups and complex political situations, is facing similar challenges.

"To some extent, the July 5 Xinjiang riot pushed forward anti-terrorism cooperation between China and Russia," he said.

"Russia and China should also cooperate more vigorously to defend themselves and prevent terrorism from spreading from Afghanistan to Central Asia."

He further said the Peace Mission joint drill is held every two years "to practice counter-terrorist techniques, promote mutual understanding and trust, and to learn from each other".

"Military cooperation is the highest level and most sensitive exchange between two countries and China and Russia's joint military drill has demonstrated the solid bond between the neighbors," Wang said, noting China and Russia share a border of more than 4,300 km.

The drill will help the countries improve cooperation and coordination and to respond more quickly and efficiently, he said, noting the purpose of the drill is not to instigate war but to deter war from happening.

Russia and China have a sound foundation of cooperation in the SCO, but the joint exercise doesn't necessarily mean China and Russia are military allies, he stressed.

"SCO applies the '3 no' principle: no alliance, no confrontation and not against a third party. In the new era of cooperation rather than confrontation, alliances are not helpful for peaceful development", said Wang, refuting suspicion of Russia and China's military alignment by citing the Charter of the SCO.

He said China attached great importance to anti-terrorism and the equipment, special training and skills to combat terrorism have been improving in the People's Liberation Army at China.

About 1,300 army and air force personnel from each side will participate in Peace Mission 2009.

Generals from the two armed forces will hold strategic talks in Russia's Khabarovsk on Wednesday, kicking off the five-day anti-terrorism drill in Russia's Far East area and northeast China's Shenyang Military Command.

Russia will also send an airborne assault unit, the Ministry of Defence said.

Source: China Daily