KUNMING, June 2 -- People's Liberation Army (PLA) forces started an air-ground live-fire drill in southwest China's Yunnan Province, close to the border with Myanmar, on Tuesday.

The exercise aims to test military maneuvers, reconnaissance, strike power, mobilization and militia reserve support, said Tang Jibing, senior colonel with the PLA Chengdu Military Area Command.

"Holding drills is an effective way to enhance joint operations capabilities and it is necessary in safeguarding frontier and air defense and protecting people's lives and property," Tang said.

The exercise will be conducted in accordance with training plans, with exercise areas and attack targets randomly selected, he added.

Aviation, artillery, air defense, infantry, missile and radar military units are participating in the drill. Local departments of the Communist Party of China and the government, national defense mobilization agencies and militia are also involved.

No aircraft will be allowed to enter the airspace of the drill without permission, and vehicles entering the drill areas in Gengma and Zhenkang counties will be subject to traffic controls, according to a PLA statement released on Monday.

Locals will not be allowed to enter the drill areas without a permit.

The PLA said Chinese authorities have informed Myanmar of the drill, and an end date will be announced later.