BEIJING – China is sending its troops to Pakistan for a month-long jointmilitary exercise, a move that will boost the two countries’ militarycooperation and capability to jointly deal with terrorist threats includingthose targeting joint projects with China, experts said on Monday.
A Chinese unit from a special forces brigade of the People’s LiberationArmy Xinjiang linkMilitaryRegion departed from their base camp Saturday morning and began mobilizingin Pakistan for the “Warrior VII” joint exercise, using vehicles and aerialtransportation, according to a statement released on Monday by China’s Ministryof National Defense link.
This is the seventh “Warrior” series exercise between the two countries’special forces, the ministry said, noting that the drills will focus ondeepening cooperation and communication, learning from each other’s combatexperience and boosting the ability to deal with security threats andlaunch diversified missions.
A new exercise subject, joint defense of key facilities, will be added tothe drills, as troops will engage in counter-terrorism in mountainousareas, according to the statement.
Li Wei, a counter-terrorism expert at the China Institute of ContemporaryInternational Relations in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday thatkey facilities might include iconic government and civilian buildings andmajor projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as these couldbe targets for terrorists, based on past events.
Construction sites, mines, harbors and highways might also be vulnerable toterrorist attacks, Li said.
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The joint exercise will help to strengthen weak spots and find ways toprevent attacks in the first place, Li said.
The drills will feature live ammunition that will put both commanders’ andsoldiers’ capabilities to the test, said Yang Lei, commander of the Chineseunit, in the defense ministry statement, noting that the event will enrichmilitary training cooperation and deepen the traditional friendship betweenthe Chinese and Pakistani armies.
Chinese and Pakistani air forces wrapped up the half-month-long ShaheenVIII joint exercises, featuring some of the two countries’ top aircraft, innorthwestern China in August. The two countries will also hold a jointnaval exercise in Pakistani waters in January.
