A contingent of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China arrived in Islamabad Sunday at the Chaklala Air Force Base to participate in the Joint Exercise "Friendship 2006," the Pakistani army said.

 

The exercise will begin in Pakistan on December 11, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations.

 

The ten-day long exercise will strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between the two countries' armies, it said.

 

"The exercise will be the second of its nature, while the first exercise was held in China in 2004," it said.

 

The exercise's focus will be to help both armies from each other's experiences in planning and conducting anti-terrorism operations, the statement said.

 

It will be the first time that PLA troops have carried out joint exercises outside China. The PLA troops were warmly received by senior Pakistan army officers on arrival and a flag-raising ceremony will be held to mark the beginning of the joint exercises.

 

High-level delegations from both countries will visit the exercise area during the conduct phase to witness the joint exercises, according to the statement.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2006)