Sino-Russian joint military drill planned
By Jiang Zhuqing (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-12-14 00:59

China and Russia will jointly hold a first-ever military exercise next year, visiting Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said yesterday.

Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan(R) gestures during a welcome ceremony with his visiting Russian counterpart in Beijing on December 13, 2004. [newsphoto]

Ivanov made the announcement at a news conference after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan.

Officials did not disclose the exact time and place of the manoeuvres.

The bilateral ties between China and Russia have entered a new phase in their relations, with the two sides establishing a strategic co-operative partnership, said President Hu Jintao, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, when meeting with Ivanov.

It accords with the fundamental interest of the peoples of all the countries in this region to strengthen Sino-Russian military co-operation and unilateral co-operation within the framework of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization to fight against terrorism that threatens the safety of the two nations and of the region, Hu said.

The signing of Russia-China friendly neighbouring co-operation agreement and the demarcation of the borders have deepened the bilateral strategic co-operative partnership, said Ivanov.

Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan (second right) speaks with visiting Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing yesterday. Ivanov announced China and Russia will jointly hold a first-ever military exercise next year. [newsphoto]

The military relationship is an important component of bilateral ties, Ivanov said. Russia will work together with China to push forward the relationship to maintain stability and peace in the region and the whole world.

During follow-on talks between Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan and Ivanov, Cao said the frequent visits by the military leaders of the two nations will enhance relations, especially bear significance on the co-operation between their armies.

Cao and Ivanov agreed that a joint military exercise planned next year will be an important event, and its significance and impact will be far-reaching in the relations between nations and their military forces.

Yesterday morning, Guo Boxiong, another vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, also met with Ivanov.

Speaking on the Taiwan question, Guo said Taiwan straits situation is very complicated and the separatism activities of the Taiwan independence forces are the largest threat to the peace and stability.

He stressed that the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never sit idle regarding Taiwan separating from China.

Ivanov said Russia will adamantly stick to its one-China policy and will never change its position.

Ivanov, who arrived on Sunday night for a four-day visit to China as guest of Cao, is also expected to visit Sanya, a seaside resort on the southern tip of Hainan Province in South China.

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