The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) joint anti-terror drill concluded in Yining, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Tuesday. The exercise consisted of two phases, with the first phase in Kazakhstan and the second in China.

Coalition forces conducted a simulated fight against terrorists and operation of rescuing hostages during the second phase, sources said.

Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and other heads of military delegations of SCO members inspected the troops for the joint anti-terror drill.

Cao, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor said the drill was the first multilateral exercise for SCO members.

During the exercise, the coalition forces displayed their military competence and wrote a new chapter in the SCO members' military cooperation as well as in the history of friendly exchanges between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, he said.

The drill also indicated the SCO members' solidarity, friendship and cooperation in the maintenance of regional peace and world anti-terror efforts.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2003)