China, US conclude post-earthquake simulation drill

Military officers of China and the United States have held a joint indoor war game to practice humanitarian rescue and disaster relief in case of an earthquake and consequent nuclear leaks.

The two-day exercise, that ended on Friday, was staged in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

A total of 32 people from the two countries attended the drills on humanitarian rescue, based on the scenario of a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in an unspecific Southeast Asian country, causing huge damages, injuries and leaks of chemical and radiative materials, according to a statement by the Chinese delegation.

The participants included officials from the China Earthquake Administration and the U.S. government as well as members for functions of intelligence, combat, communication, engineering, anti-chemical and anti-radiation, logistics, medical treatment, journalism, research and rescue as well as legal affairs.

The delegations discussed issues of decision-making, organization, command, action and coordination in the rescue mission.

Both sides expressed appreciation for the exercise and agreed that the drill will help to deepen practical cooperation in unconventional security fields between the two countries' militaries, the statement said.

This is the first joint indoor exercise between the two countries' militaries, and is an important part of the eighth exchange activity between the armed forces of the China and the United States on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief, according to Tang Fen, head of the Chinese delegation.

After the drill, the U.S. delegation will also visit sites hit by the 2008 Wenchuan quake, the statement added.