China, Mongolia launch joint peacekeeping exercise

BEIJING, June 28 -- Chinese and Mongolian armed forces kicked off a joint peacekeeping exercise here on Sunday, sources with China's Defense Ministry said.

Coded "Peacekeeping Mission-2009", the exercise is the first joint peacekeeping exercise that China has held with another country. It also marks the first joint military training between China and Mongolia.

The exercise was set to boost the capacity of both military forces in carrying out peace-keeping missions, according to the sources.

The exercise features academic lectures, joint training and comprehensive simulation drills. It was scheduled to conclude on July 4.

A total of 91 military officers from the two countries participated the training, with China sending 46. The military forces will form a peacekeeping company during the exercise.

During the stage of comprehensive simulation drills, the military forces are expected to complete transport and defensive missions against the backdrop of a simulated United Nations peacekeeping mission.