Five member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization began a joint anti-terror exercise yesterday, the first of its kind within the framework of the SCO, in Kazakhstan's border city of Ucharal.

　　More than 1,000 soldiers from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan took part in the drill, codenamed "Coalition 2003."

　　Li Qianyuan, head of China's Lanzhou Military Command, Kazakh Defense Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev and other dignitaries were in attendance to witness the opening ceremony of the exercise.

　　The exercise will take part in two phases, the first phase in Kazakh-stan, the second in China.

　　During the first phase, coalition soldiers launched a mock battle to rescue air passengers held by a gang of international terrorists.

　　In the second phase, soldiers will conduct a simulated fight against dozens of terrorists in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

　　The exercise is aimed at exploring ways of fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism, which have threatened territorial integrity and national safety in many countries.

　　Officials said the exercise will help strengthen mutual trust and cooperation among member states, safeguard regional security and stability and increase coordinating capabilities in the fight against terrorists.

　　The high-level military exercises show that the SCO member states take the same stand and hold the same determination to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, Li said.

　　He also said it was an important step for the SCO states to step up military cooperation and mutual trust among their armed forces, and boost regional cooperation against terrorism.

　　The Chinese government stands firmly against terrorism of all kinds, calls for closer international cooperation and removing the roots of terrorism, Li said, adding that the exercise displayed China's deter-mination and confidence in the fight against terrorism.

　　The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was formed in June 2001. It groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.