Chinese army drafting ordinance for anti-terror combat operations

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese army are formulating rules of engagement regarding anti-terrorism combat operations to deal with the growing terrorist threat, China Daily reported Friday.

The move is unprecedented since its founding 82 years ago that the 2.3-million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA) would have separate regulations for anti-terrorism operations.

Major General Meng Guoping was quoted as saying, "The army is drafting an Ordinance for Anti-terrorism Combat Operations based on its experience in anti-terror missions over the past few years."

The army will also publish its first set of combat guidelines on anti-terror operations for the whole armed forces, said Meng, also the deputy director of the war operations department under the General Staff Department of the PLA. The guidelines will regulate the anti-terror mission's responsibility, composition, command and logistics support, Meng said.

Acknowledging the growing threat of global and domestic terrorist activities, Meng stressed the importance of military strikes in curbing terrorism.

In that regard, he said, the army can be given the main task of providing specialized anti-terror forces and intelligence support.

"The PLA has included anti-terror combat training in its elite armed forces divisions since last year and each army division has set up its task force for emergency response," Meng was quoted as saying.

The major general made the remarks following the just-concluded Peace Mission 2009 Sino-Russian anti-terror drill in Taonan, Jilin province.

About 2,600 troops from the ground and air forces of both nations took part in the drill.

Since 2002, the Chinese armed forces have participated in anti-terrorismdrills under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which includes Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan andUzbekistan.

Meng said more exchanges with foreign armed forces, including information sharing on anti-terrorism, will be conducted. Overseas cooperation will include joint efforts to disarm terrorists, including actions to draw them out, he said.

Anti-terror specialists said the priority that the PLA is giving to anti-terrorism operations is timely and will likely reduce the risks of terrorist attacks.