Chinese army to kick off three-month drill

Army troops from the five theater commands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will take part in a drill from July to September designed to "strengthen the troops' trans-regional operational capabilities."

It is one of the key maneuvers after the establishment of the PLA's new Army command, said a statement issued on Thursday by the Zhurihe training base in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, where the drill will be held.

The five theater commands will each send a mixed army brigade that will separately confront the PLA Army's first professional simulation troop posing as the enemy.

The PLA Air Force and Strategic Support Force will also take part in the drill that will help reshape the Army's training system and strengthen its capacity to operate throughout the Chinese territory, the statement said.

(APD)