The chiefs of staff of the armed forces of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries issued the order at noon yesterday - terrorism is your target.

Commanders of various troops then launched the long-prepared anti-terror drill "Peace Mission 2007" following strategic consultations in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

About 6,500 troops and 80 aircraft are taking part in the drill, which is centered at Chelyabinsk in Russia's Ural region.

The drill, attended by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, "is not intended to aim at any third party," said Liang Guanglie, Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, at a press conference.

It makes no threat to any country, he said.

He said the drill will be carried out in line with the Charter of the United Nations and the Charter of the SCO.

Liang presided over the consultations attended by the chiefs of staff of armed forces of the SCO member countries.

Chinese and Russian general directors of the joint drill, the PLA's General Xu Qiliang and Russian Admiral Vladimir Moltensky, delivered reports on the plans, preparations and implementation of the drill to the chiefs of staff.

Liang declared the official opening of the joint drill at noon.

"The joint anti-terror drill will enhance mutual trust among SCO members in the military and security fields," Liang said, adding that the drill will also improve the members' abilities to deal with new challenges and threats.

The drill is of great importance for the members in jointly maintaining and ensuring regional peace and stability, Liang said.

Presidents of the SCO member countries and their secretaries of defense will arrive at various drill venues to observe proceedings.

The drill will coincide with an annual summit of the SCO.

"This is the first time that all the leaders of SCO nations will attend the war games," Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui told reporters yesterday. "All the member countries put a high value on these drills."

The exercises are aimed at countering terrorism, including a scenario in which militants occupy a town, requiring SCO forces to retake it by force.

China has sent a 1,600-member contingent, the biggest military unit to be sent such a long distance from China for military exercises. A total of 32 Mi-17 and Z-9 helicopters will also take part, along with six heavy transport aircraft, eight attack aircraft, and a company of airborne troops.

"The regional security situation is extremely complex and all members face threats," Li said.

"The point of these exercises is to make a contribution to regional peace, security and stability," he said.

Representatives from the SCO's four observer states, Iran, India, Mongolia and Pakistan, will attend the August 16 summit but not the war games, Li said. The drill will continue until next Friday.