President Xi sends congratulatory video to International Army Games 2017

MOSCOW - President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory video to the International Army Games 2017 as it convenes here Saturday.

The International Army Games 2017, which concludes on August 12, comprises of 28 events held in Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Xi, also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), sent his greetings to attendees on behalf of the Chinese government and the CMC in the video.

The International Army Games have been successfully held three times after it was initiated by the Russian Defense Ministry in 2014, Xi said, adding that it has become a prominent component of regional military ties.

This is the fourth time the Chinese army has participated in the games and the first time it organized some events. The Chinese army is looking forward to competing with the other attendees, Xi said.

International military cooperation is significant in strengthening strategic mutual trust and upholding global and regional peace and stability, Xi added.

Xi hoped the Chinese army would deepen exchanges with the participating armies to advance global military cooperation and further contribute to safeguarding world peace.

Finally, Xi ended the video by wishing the games a success.

Congratulatory video footage of Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaders of other co-organizing countries were also broadcast in the opening ceremony.

Six events, including the Suvorov attack, organized by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Force and Air Force, will be held in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Jilin province and Hubei province.

The Chinese army will go to Russia and Kazakhstan to participate in the tank biathlon, army scout masters and other events.