China, Russia forces start joint exercise

BEIJING - Chinese and Russian special forces kicked off a 10-day joint training exercise in Beijing on Tuesday.

Forty-six personnel from the Snow Leopard Commandoes, an elite anti-terrorism force under the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAPF), and 29 from a special task force unit of Russia's domestic security force, are taking part in the exercise, according to the PAPF.

The two forces aim to learn from each other and improve counter-terror skills and tactics through the "Cooperation 2013" exercise, which will consist of training courses on shooting, forced entry, hostage rescue and terrorist camp raids.

The two sides previously conducted a joint anti-terrorism drill, "Cooperation 2007," in Russia in September 2007.

The present drill marks the PAPF's first invitation of its foreign counterparts to conduct joint exercise in China.