China launches its biggest-ever war exercises (1)

Military vehicles of the "red army" maneuver against the "blue army" during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005. China began its biggest-ever war exercises open to foreign observers with 16,000 soldiers carrying out maneuvers here on Tuesday. Some 40 military officers from 24 countries, including the United States, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia and major European and NATO nations were invited to watch the exercise.

Soldiers wait for orders during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.

Foreign observers watch Chinese military exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.

Military vehicles of the "blue army" run toward a designated area during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.

A tank of the "blue army" maneuvers toward the battle field during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.

Soldiers uncover a military vehicle in disguise during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.

A tank of the "red army" maneuvers against the "blue army" during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.

A helicopter of the "blue army" supports the maneuver of its military vehicle against the "red army" during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005.