Military games start in Xinjiang, Fujian

The International Army Games 2018 began on Sunday with four contests in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Fujian province.

Seventeen teams comprising 358 soldiers from 11 countries are participating in the contests, which will conclude on Aug 11. Some other countries sent observers to the events.

Three of the contests－the Suvorov Attack race and shooting competition by infantry fighting vehicles; the Clear Sky test for air-defense missile units; and the Safe Route contest, which requires teams to make their way through a minefield and other obstacles－take place in Korla, Xinjiang.

In coastal Quanzhou, Fujian, a seaborne assault contest is being organized by the People's Liberation Army Navy, marking the first time the Chinese Navy has hosted a contest in the Games. Marines from Iran, Russia, Sudan, Venezuela and China will compete in this event, which consists of an obstacle course, survival trail and relay race.

The Games, initiated by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2014, currently cover more than 20 professional areas for armies, navies and air forces.

With the participation of about 30 countries, the international influence of the games has increased each year.

Many countries and their armed forces want to project strength through the platform, said Kong Jun, head of the Seaborne Assault organization committee and commander of the PLA Navy Marine Corps.

"We hope that through this event we can further improve our mutual understanding and trust, deepen our military cooperation and exchanges, consolidate our friendship and make even greater contributions to world and regional peace and stability," said Ding Yi, deputy commander of the PLA Navy.

"It is a precious opportunity to take part in this event to compete with my foreign counterparts," said Xu Xiaofei of the Marine Corps. "I very much look forward to stepping into the competitive arena and having exchanges with them."

A staff officer of the PLA Ground Force who asked to be identified as Duan said the Suvorov Attack requires teams to drive an infantry fighting vehicle 12 times around a 4.3-kilometer circular track that has 120 obstacles. They also need to shoot the gun mounted on the vehicle and hit eight targets.

The contest tests the preparedness, spirit and skills of contestants as well as the capabilities of their equipment, he said.

The International Army Games were co-organized by China, Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Iran this year. China has taken part in the games for five years, and hosted some of the contests last year.