China mobilizes 50,000 troops as part of 'Stride-2009' tactical exercise

Beijing, Aug.12 (ANI): The Chinese Army is on the move. On Tuesday, 50,000 troops were moving at the start of the army's largest-ever tactical event, in which they will be mobilized and transported vast distances across the nation.

The China Daily said that the infantry troops are moving with air force cover across five provinces in 13 days to reach Northeast China.

The latest annual military drill is focused on improving mobility over long distances by using both military and civilian resources, experts told the China Daily.

More than 100 Chinese and foreign journalists were invited to visit a military base on the outskirts of Beijing Tuesday for an inside view of life in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The army says the drill, codenamed Stride-2009, is not aimed at specific threats. It will continue for two months.

"I think, this time, we will see some real action that displays the army's modernization. Finally, we will see army mobilization on a large scale, similar to what is often seen in Hollywood war movies," Li Xiao, a military fan nicknamed 'Land Tiger' on the online fan club Super Camp.

The drill will be the largest tactical exercise for the PLA since it was established 82 years ago. (ANI)