Russian and Chinese pilots leave for Chebarkul firing range to take part in Peace Mission 2013

Russian and Chinese pilots have started joint actions within the Peace Mission 2013 anti-terrorist exercises, the Central Military District’s press service told Itar-Tass on Monday. The pilots left the Shagol airbase for the area of the Chebarkul firing range in order to examine the airspace and the situation while air controllers reconnoitered the ground. “Flights will be conducted within the week,” the press service said. The united air group included over 20 pieces of equipment: Su-24MP tactical bombers, as well as Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters from Russia; and the Flying Leopard JH-7A fighters, the Z-9 and Mi-171 helicopters from China. The Peace Mission 2013 anti-terrorist exercises take place from July 27 to August 15 and involve over 1,500 servicemen and about 200 units of military equipment. The high level of trust between Russia and China was proper to the Peace Mission 2013 anti-terrorist exercises, said Shi Xiangyuan, deputy chief of staff of the Shenyang Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army. In an interview with Itar-Tass, Shi Xiangyang said: “This year the Russian and Chinese presidents have taken the decision to hold the Peace Mission 2013 exercises. We’re glad that both countries have the high level of trust to each other. We’re not competitors, but we’re partners. Trust between the two countries became the unique particularity of the Peace Mission.” He noted that strategic cooperation between the Russian and Chinese armies had reached the high level in the recent years. “We’re pleased that we conducted the exercises in the military district where 40 percent of the Russian Armed Forces stay. I’m sure that the Peace Mission 2013 will yield results. This is the new stage of military cooperation between the Chinese and Russian armies,” the Chinese military said. Shi stressed that the People’s Liberation Army carried out serious reforms. “Our proverb said: ‘We don’t seek to be the first, but we seek imperfection.’ That is why we want to improve our chances through the Peace Mission and strengthen our cooperation,” he said.