The drill was held in a river area near the Heilongjiang Bridge, which connects the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk with the Chinese city of Heihe, on June 25, the People's Liberation Army Daily reported on July 2.
China and Russia have agreed to strengthen defense cooperation. Photo: Weibo
This is the first joint counter-terrorism exercise by the two neighbors since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in early 2022. The PLA Daily report said last week's joint exercise simulated "terrorists trying to cross the border" to carry out attacks.
The Chinese and Russian militaries used aerial reconnaissance, naval interception and ground ambush to intercept and capture terrorists during the exercise.
With a focus on enhancing intelligence sharing and operational coordination, the exercise demonstrated the “firm determination” of both militaries to take effective measures to combat all forms of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and jointly protect their border areas, the report said.
The two sides also discussed further strengthening border cooperation, the report said.
The drills come just days after terrorist attacks in Russia's southern Dagestan region on June 23, in which at least 22 people were killed in shootings at two synagogues, two Orthodox churches and a police station.
Earlier in March, more than 140 people were killed in an attack on a Moscow concert hall – the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in nearly two decades. The self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility.
Last week’s joint drills followed an agreement between Chinese and Russian leaders to strengthen cooperation on law enforcement and defense — including expanding joint training and exercises — when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing in May.
This is not the first time the two countries have held joint exercises focused on counterterrorism. In 2019, China's paramilitary People's Armed Police Force participated in exercises with the Russian National Guard, held in Russia.
The Chinese and Russian coast guards also signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime law enforcement cooperation in April last year.
The two countries held a maritime exercise with Iran in March focused on anti-piracy efforts. China and Russia also held joint naval and air exercises in the East China Sea last July.
During a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed the two countries' cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including through multilateral platforms.
Hoai Phuong (according to SCMP, TASS)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/quan-doi-trung-quoc-va-nga-tap-tran-chong-khung-bo-xuyen-bien-gioi-post302156.html
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