China, Russia Launch 8-Day War Exercise

Some 10,000 Russian and Chinese troops began an eight-day joint exercise Thursday in the far eastern Russian region around Vladivostok.

Military leaders from both countries were quick to announce the operation, called Peace Mission 2005, was not designed to intimidate other nations.

Our exercises don’t threaten any country, Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, the head of the Russian armed forces general staff, told a news conference.

Gen. Liang Guanglie, chief of the general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, said they were part of the fight against international terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The maneuvers are being watched closely by Washington, but the United States has not sent official observers, the BBC said.

The exercise involves mostly Chinese air, sea, and ground troops and will conclude next week with an amphibious and paratroop landing on China’s Shandong peninsula in the Yellow Sea.