BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Russia began their first joint
military exercises on Thursday aimed at boosting cooperation
between the former adversaries and sending a message to the United
States about their growing influence
Both countries say "Peace Mission 2005", which involves 10,000
troops and army, navy and air force exercises, is aimed at building
ties between their militaries.
Russia and China also see common ground in Central Asia, both in
trying to ensure political turmoil in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
does not spill into their borders and in checking the U.S. presence
in the region.
In July, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional
security forum grouping China and Russia with the Central Asian
states, told U.S.-led troops to fix a date for their departure from
military bases in the region.
That, along with the fact observers from other SCO countries will
be at the war games, is further fuelling theories they are intended
to send a message to Washington.
The United States said the exercises supported a shared goal of
regional stability, but added a word of caution.
The exercises are taking place in the Russian Pacific near
Vladivostok and in the Chinese coastal province of Shandong and run
through August 25.
THE FULL REPORT
Some Pictures of the Joint excercise:
China Airborne unit
Russian airborne unit
Russian navy fleet in China Qingdao port waiting to attend the
exercise.
PLAN DDG168 waiting to attend the excercise
