China, Kyrgyzstan hold joint anti-terrorism drill

Chinese and Kyrgyz border defense troops conducted a joint anti-terrorism drill in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Tuesday morning.

The live-fire drill, code-named Tianshan III, involved about 700 troops and took place in a mountainous area in Artux, Kezilesu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, which borders Kyrgyzstan.

It was conducted under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which aims to enhance anti-terrorism cooperation.

The drill was carried out to test cooperation between the nations' border defense units and their ability to jointly handle terrorist threats, as terror organizations continue to penetrate countries in Central Asia by sending trained members back to their home nation and smuggling firearms.

"Based on terrorist incidents that have occurred around the world, the drill included various scenarios to ensure it resembled real combat situations," said Tao Wanqian, head of the Ministry of Public Security's Xinjiang Border Control Force.