China-Russia military exercise underway in NW China

The West Joint-2021, a large joint military exercise by the Chinese and Russian militaries, began on Monday morning in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region and is scheduled to last through Friday, according to the People's Liberation Army.

More than 10,000 troops from the PLA Western Theater Command and the Russian Armed Forces' Eastern Military District, as well as multiple types of aircraft and land weapons from both sides, will take part in the exercise at the PLA Ground Force's Qingtongxia Joint Tactic Training Base. This is the first joint exercise between the two militaries this year.

The operation is intended to deepen the two sides' anti-terrorism cooperation, display their determination and capability of working together to safeguard security and stability, show the new height in the bilateral strategic partnership, and symbolize the friendship of soldiers from both sides, the PLA said in a news release.

A grand opening ceremony was held on Monday morning at the Qingtongxia Joint Tactic Training Base. General Li Zuocheng, chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, attended the ceremony and announced the exercise's opening.

A total of 13 groups of troops and dozens of aircraft took part in a parade during the ceremony.

Troops involved in the exercise will test and hone their abilities and skills in performing reconnaissance, early-warning alerts, electronic strikes and joint assault operations, according to Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense.