China holds first anti-terrorism drills with Saudi Arabian special forces
Twenty-five people from each side took part in training in anti-terrorist combat skills and tactics, state media reports, as China increases its ties in the Middle East
Special forces from China and Saudi Arabia have held their first joint anti-terrorism drills, state media reported on Thursday, China’s latest effort to expand security ties with countries in the Middle East and its Muslim neighbours.
China says its companies and citizens face a growing threat from terrorism as its global footprint expands and the government has been getting more involved diplomatically in trouble spots in areas such as the Middle East.
President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia early this year, vowing to expand security cooperation and oppose terrorism.
Twenty-five people from each side took part in training over two weeks from October 10 focused on anti-terrorism combat skills and tactics near China’s southwestern city of Chongqing, the People’s Liberation Army Daily said.
“This joint anti-terrorism training is directed at raising the two militaries’ ability to combat terrorism and non-traditional security threats,” the paper said.
Chinese officials have long been concerned that instability in Afghanistan will spill over into China’s western region of Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uygur people. Hundreds of people have died there in recent years in unrest the government blames on militant separatists.