Chinese troops depart for tri-nation drill in Australia

Nearly 30 Chinese military personnel, mostly medical professionals, departed Chongqing Friday for a tri-nation exercise on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in Australia. Codenamed "Exercise Cooperation Spirit 2012," the drill will be held by Chinese, Australian and New Zealand armies in the Australian coastal city of Brisbane from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. It is the first joint exercise to be held by the three nations' military forces in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The exercise will focus on humanitarian rescue and medical assistance during floods and involve exchanging experience and field training. Members of the Chinese contingent are mostly from the Third Military Medical University, with others from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command.