North Sword 2005 military exercise
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-27 13:12

China launches "North Sword 2005" war game

HOHHOT -- China on Tuesday launched a military exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" in a training base in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Forty foreign military officers from 24 countries are invited to watch the exercise at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in Inner Mongolia, north China.

The exercise is an important multilateral military exchange activity with the largest number of foreign observers since the founding of New China in 1949, said sources with China's Defense Ministry.

According to the sources, inviting foreign military observers to the exercise is aimed at fully demonstrating the new concept of security based on "mutual trust and benefit, equality and cooperation," as well as China's sincere hope to develop friendly and cooperative relations with the armed forces of other countries.

The Chinese side hoped the exercise could provide a good opportunity for Chinese and foreign military officers to learn from each other, the sources said.

The move is also meant to promote mutual trust and understanding, and deepen friendship and cooperation between Chinaand foreign armed forces.

After the war game, Chinese and foreign military officers will hold academic discussions at the drill base, according to the sources.