Senior Chinese commander calls for strengthening military cooperation with Kazakhstan

Chen Bingde (R), chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, meets with Saken Zhasuzakov, first deputy defense minister and chief of the staff of Kazakhstan's Armed Forces, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Sept. 9, 2010. Chen visited Almaty on Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the "Peace Mission - 2010" anti-terrorism military exercise, which is launched under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in south Kazakhstan from Sept. 9 to 25. (Xinhua/Wang Jianmin)
Senior Chinese commander Chen Bingde said Thursday that China and Kazakhstan will further enhance their military cooperation to ensure regional security.

During a meeting with Saken Zhasuzakov, first deputy defense minister and chief of the staff of Kazakhstan's armed forces, Chen thanked the Kazaks for their efforts to prepare the upcoming "Peace Mission 2010" anti-terror drill.

Chen, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), also thanked them for their support of the participating Chinese troops.

The Sept. 9-25 anti-terror drill, the seventh of its kind under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, is an important move to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of SCO countries, said Chen.

The exercise will significantly contribute to eliminating the Three Evil Forces of extremism, separatism and terrorism, promoting regional security and deepening SCO-wide cooperation, Chen said.

Noting that profound changes are taking place in Central Asia, Chen said the security situation in the region concerns the core interests of both China and Kazakhstan because the former is a neighbor of the region, while the latter is a large player inside it.

The Three Evil Forces are a big public hazard to the international community, especially to Central Asia, the senior Chinese commander said, adding that Beijing and Almaty, both as SCO members, play a key role in maintaining regional security.

Through in-depth cooperation, the two sides have made great contributions to the common fight against the Three Evil Forces and the maintenance of regional peace, Chen said.

He said that military cooperation between the two countries has been growing continuously since they established diplomatic ties 18 years ago. Remarkable achievements have been made, he said, in high-level contacts, strategic consultations, technological exchanges, border defense exchanges and personnel training.

The two countries will strengthen the friendly cooperation between their militaries, strive to maintain the sound momentum of high-level military exchanges and promote exchanges and cooperation in professional fields, Chen said.

Zhasuzakov, for his part, said that Kazakhstan, as the current SCO chair, will make active efforts to advance the further development of the bloc.

He spoke highly of military relations between China and Kazakhstan, saying defense cooperation between the two sides has been fruitful.

He also expressed gratitude to China for its support of Kazakhstan's military build-up and personnel training.

The Three Evil Forces constitute a grave threat to regional security and stability, Zhasuzakov agreed, adding that his country attaches great importance to bilateral and multilateral anti-terror cooperation.

Kazakhstan is ready to join China and other SCO members in making positive contributions to the battle against the Three Evil Forces, he added.

Chen arrived here Thursday morning to attend the opening ceremony of the "Peace Mission 2010" exercise, which is to be staged in south Kazakhstan with the involvement of 5,000 troops from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

Source:Xinhua