Article Posted on : - Jun 25, 2010

A File Photo.

BEIJING (PTI): Chinese and Pakistani armed forces will hold a joint anti-terror drill "Friendship-2010" in a northwest Chinese region from July 1 to 11, an official said Thursday.

The anti-terror drill will take place in Qingtongxia in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China's Ministry of National Defence has announced.

The drill, code-named "Friendship-2010," would be the third of its kind between the two countries, said ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng. The drill will take place from July 1 to 11. Each side was expected to send a special unit of more than 100 members to take part in the exercise, said Geng.

The exercise aimed to deepen relationship between the two armies and promote pragmatic exchanges and cooperation while "enhancing their capabilities in fighting terrorism together and safeguarding regional peace and stability," Geng was quoted as saying by APP.

China and Pakistan held their first-ever joint anti-terrorism exercise, "Friendship-2004," in Xinjiang's Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

About 200 border soldiers from both sides participated. The second joint anti-terror military drill, "Friendship-2006," was carried out in the hills of northern Pakistan's Abbottabad.

More than 400 soldiers from both armies took part.