The live-fire training of the Peace Mission 2016 joint anti-terrorism military exercise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held at a military training area in Balykchy of Kyrgyzstan on September 19, local time.

Rayimberdi Duishenbiev, chief of general staff of the Kyrgyzstan Armed Forces, Murat Bektanov, deputy chief of general staff of the Kazakhstani Armed Forces, Xu Fenlin, deputy chief of staff of Joint Staff Department of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), Sergey Istrakov, deputy chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces, E. A. Cobidrzoda, Tajikistan’s first deputy defense minister and chief of general staff of Tajikstan Armed Forces, and representatives from anti-terror agencies of SCO members states, observed the live-fire exercise and attended the closing ceremony of the Peace Mission 2016 joint anti-terrorism military exercise.

Peace Mission 2016 was the first multilateral joint anti-terrorism military exercise of SCO held in Kyrgyzstan. Over 1,100 military service members from Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan participated in the exercise.

The exercise was conducted in two stages. The first stage focused on command, during which the armed forces of the SCO member states prepared for the joint anti-terrorism operations. The second stage was live-fire exercise, during which the participating troops from the five countries conducted joint anti-terrorism operations.

The live-fire exercise mainly included such subjects as sharpening the joint forces’ skills to strike illegal armed invasion troops, covering local residents to evacuate war zones, and blocking, striking and wiping out illegal armed forces and remnants of the enemy.

Duishenbiev spoke highly of the preparation and implementation work of the exercise at the closing ceremony. He said that the exercise improved the level of training and cooperation of armed forces of SCO member states, and showcased the solidarity, cooperation and strong commitment of member states to maintain security and stability of the region.

Xu Fenlin and military leaders from other countries presented awards to troops with outstanding performance. A military parade was also held after the closing ceremony.

Xu Fenlin also visited the Chinese participating troops in their encampment on September 20.