2010-09-11 10:18

BEIJING - A Kazakh official called for more military cooperation between member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the multinational joint drill "Peace Mission 2010" kicked off in the Central Asian nation on Friday.

"The threats of terrorism and extremism require SCO member states to continuously improve their forms and methods of anti-terror cooperation," said Ikram Adyrbekov, Kazakhstan's ambassador to China, in a written interview with China Daily.

The ambassador made the comment referring to the joint military drill in Kazakhstan, "Peace Mission 2010", in which SCO member states China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are taking part.

Adyrbekov told China Daily that the "timely" event will showcase the SCO's capacity to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.

"The capacities and financial assets of international terrorists remain sufficient enough to carry out destructive actions Unfortunately, in their illegal activities, the terrorist and extremist organizations use the latest technology and modern propaganda methods," he added.

The ambassador said the first participants in the joint drill arrived in Kazakhstan on Sept 2.

"As I know, all the troops from participating states have already reached the Matybulak training ground, in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan, including 1,000 soldiers from China," Adyrbekov said.

More than 5,000 troops from the five SCO countries are expected to participate in the drill, according to Xinhua News Agency.

"Planes with military officials from China have already arrived in the city of Almaty. The advance team included staff from the Ministry of National Defense of China, experts from various special services, and military personnel. The planes have also brought equipment, which the PLA (People's Liberation Army) troops will use during the upcoming exercises," Adyrbekov said.

He said the 15-day drill is unlike previous exercises. "The duration of the planned activities has increased (this time)," the ambassador said, noting that it will be one week longer than the previous joint military exercise in Russia in 2007.

Meanwhile, another distinctive feature, the ambassador said, is that "the most advanced capabilities of the armed forces of the SCO" will be demonstrated.

"The drill will also involve more than 300 units of military equipment, and more than 50 airplanes and helicopters. The Russians will bring with them some 130 armored vehicles - tanks, unmanned artillery and armored personnel carriers, engineering equipment and communications technology, more than 100 vehicles, and more than 10 airplanes and helicopters," the ambassador said.