The Sino-Russian joint anti-terror exercise "Cooperation-2007" kicked off in Moscow on Tuesday.

Armed policemen of the Chinese Snow Leopard Commando attend the opening ceremony of the China-Russia "Cooperation 2007" anti-terror drill in Moscow, Sept. 4, 2007. The three-day drill is the first international anti-terror exercise attended by the Chinese armed police force outside China.

China and Russia are expanding cooperation in combating illegal immigration, smuggling and international crime, Wu Shuangzhan, Commander of Chinese People's Armed Police Force told reporters at the opening ceremony of the drill.

The exercise, carried out within the framework of the "Year of China in Russia," was not targeted at any third country and did not infringe on the interests nor pose any threat to any third state, Wu said.

He said the joint anti-terror exercise is necessary as terrorism posed a great threat to world peace and stability.

Members of the Russian domestic security force march during the opening ceremony of the China-Russia "Cooperation 2007" anti-terror drill in Moscow, Sept. 4, 2007.

Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev said he was "confident that the exercise will help improve mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation between the two countries."

The exercise, which is divided into three phases, will last for three days. Around 600 troops, from the Chinese Snow Leopard armed police unit and a Russian special task force unit, are taking part in the exercises.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2007)