The hoisting of national flags of both the countries to the national anthems played by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) band marked the opening ceremony of the five-day drill at the Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province.

The exercise, titled “Hand-in-Hand 2007” reflecting warmer military ties, started with Chinese soldiers demonstrating skills in “Hard Qigong” martial arts and self-defence.

This was followed by manoeuvres showing the capabilities of People’s Liberation Army soldiers to strike at the enemy after overcoming obstacles such as exploding bombs and grenades. Seated on stage, Indian soldiers from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry watched with keen interest and clapped in appreciation after each manoeuvre.

Brigadier D S Dadwal, head of the Directing Staff, said the joint Sino-Indian military exercise was “another step” to deepen understanding and cooperation between the two armies.

World peace

Major General Xiong Zuoming, head of a Chinese military expert group, said the international community had recognised that terrorism would have a “negative impact” and the joint training showed that both India and China were committed to fighting it and ensure peace and stability and a “harmonious world”.

“The training is testimony to the world of determination and abilities both our armed forces share in fighting terrorism and their commitment to peace and stability,” he said.