China, Russia complete joint counterterrorism drill

The Cooperation 2017 China-Russia joint counterterrorism drill concluded on Wednesday in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Organized by China’s Armed Police Force and the Russian National Guard, the 12-day drill started on Dec 2 and was conducted at multiple training bases in Yinchuan’s suburbs. 

Thirty-two members of the Desert Fox Commando Unit, a Chinese anti-terrorist assault force, and 32 of their Russian peers from the Vityaz and Rys, two special force units, took part in training and exercises.

The units were divided into several mixed teams. The Chinese force also sent helicopters and armed assault vehicles. 

During the drill, Chinese and Russian personnel practiced various skills, including hand-to-hand combat, shooting and defusing explosives. They also exchanged strategies, tactics, maneuvers and experience, according to the Armed Police Force. 

Cooperation 2017 is the fourth drill involving law enforcement agencies from China and Russia. The previous drills were held in August 2007 in Moscow, June 2013 in Beijing, and July 2016 in Moscow.

Such events are designed to boost the two nations’ joint anti-terrorist operations and rapid response capabilities. 

The two countries have also conducted six joint naval exercises since 2012, with the most recent lasting from July to September.

Currently, the nations are carrying out their second joint computer-assisted, missile-defense drill in Beijing. The first drill was in Russia in May last year.