Source: Xinhuanet

07-30-2007 17:56

URUMQI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese soldiers and officers who are going to Russia for a joint military exercise with Russian troops, are not only armed with military equipment, but also books like "Guide for Troops to Join in Exercise in Russia" and "A Brief Introduction about Russia".

"It's not that simple for us to carry out exercise in a foreign country," said, Yin Xunbo, a 26-year-old soldier, "We have to learn other things besides military skills."

For 1,600 members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA),to be in Russia next month, some understanding about relevant laws and Russian culture is as much important as their military skills. In this case, all of them had attended classes on these matters.

It is the first time for the majority of these Chinese soldiers and officers to go overseas. "During such an overseas military maneuver, Chinese armed forces will cross the border to enter a foreign territory, for the time being, so that it is very different for civilians to cross the border," said Major General Zhu Jianye, a law advisor of the PLA.

According to the officer, on June 27, 2007, the six member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) signed an agreement on the holding of joint military exercises, which is the first multinational document on the issue signed by China.

Under the agreement, the member countries offer some privileges to military personnel from others to join in joint exercises on each others' territory, and thus, these soldiers and officers are allowed to enter others' territory with their IDs, instead of passport and visa.

Once Chinese trains carrying the troops and equipment for the exercise cross the border, Russian soldiers will replace Chinese soldiers to stand on guard for the Chinese troops.

According to the agreement, the Chinese servicemen must respect Russia's sovereignty, laws and customs, and they are not allowed to participate in any political activities in the host country.

Moreover, the Chinese military headquarters have demanded the soldiers and officers to show respect to local real estates, facilities and equipment, natural resources, cultural and historic sites, during their stay in Russia.

In August of 2005, the two countries held their first joint military exercise, "Peace Mission 2005", in east China.

 

Editor:Chen Ge