The China-Russia joint military exercise, "Peace Mission 2005," ended in east China’s Shandong Province on Thursday after the successful maneuvers performed by 10,000 troops from the Russian and Chinese navy, air force, army and paratroops.
"Through the exercises, the two armed forces enhanced their friendship and mutual trust, and improved their capabilities to meet new challenges and threats and to fight international terrorism, extremism and separatism," Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said at the closing ceremony.
The exercise was neither aimed at any third party nor did they concern the interests of any third country, but merely reflected the common aspirations of the two countries for peace, unity and cooperation, and friendship from generation to generation, Cao said. Cao is also vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and state councilor.
The exercise was a demonstration of the firm determination of both countries to safeguard world peace and promote common development, he added.
This exercise, dubbed "Peace Mission 2005," began on August 18 in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. It moved to the Shandong Peninsula in east China the following day.
Cao said the successful joint military exercise also embodied the positive outcome of cooperation between China and Russia in the area of defense and security.
He attributed the "high-level and high-quality" exercises to careful preparation, good organization and close coordination, saying all this showcased the brilliant military skills and commanding ability of the two armed forces.
"China is ready to work with Russia and other countries to safeguard world peace and stability, to build a harmonious world of common prosperity, and become a major constructive force for a new international order," he said.
As for regional cooperation, the Chinese defense minister said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which groups China and Russia with four Central Asian countries, has played an increasingly important role in maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting economic development.
China and Russia will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of their strategic partnership of cooperation next year.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at the closing ceremony that Russian and Chinese troops displayed a very high level of skill and tactical expertise during the eight-day exercise.
Russia and China would hold new joint military exercises in the future and the friendship between the two armed forces will become a major guarantee of peace in Asia-Pacific and the world at large, he said.
"Only when we are closely united can we meet new challenges and threats," Ivanov added.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization observer delegates including Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairullaev, Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ismail Isakov, Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Abai Tasbulatov and Uzbekistan Deputy Defense Minister R. Niyazov attended the closing ceremony.
(Xinhua News Agency August 26, 2005)
