Accompanied by a huge roar, the Chinese Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft accelerates to take off.

After a short while, the wings of the plane swept across the clouds.

Sitting in the corner of the cabin, I began to look forward to seeing and hearing about the military training ground in the next half month.

The Yun-20 transport plane boarded by the Chinese Director's Department.

Li Chunshe

  The destination of this flight is Orenburg, Russia. The "Peace Mission-2021" SCO member states' joint counter-terrorism military exercise will be held at the "Dongguz" shooting range here.

China sent more than 550 people and 130 vehicles (equipment) to participate in this joint military exercise. The participating troops are mainly in the northern theater of the People's Liberation Army.

  Earlier, a military train departed from Baicheng, Jilin, and rushed to Orenburg Dongguz Station, officially opening the scene of multiple echelons, multiple methods, and long-distance cross-border delivery of Chinese troops participating in the exercise.

Today, the four railway transportation echelons have successively departed from the national gate of Manzhouli, and have arrived at the exercise area after completing the transfer and refitting at Russia's Zabaikalsk station.

  This long-distance overseas maneuver of more than 6,300 kilometers is a test of the Chinese army's land-based cross-border projection capabilities.

Also under test is the Chinese military's long-range air delivery capabilities.

  The 19-member Chinese advance team arrived in Orenburg early on board the Yun-20 transport plane to make preliminary preparations for subsequent exercises.

This is the Y-20 transport plane's visit to Russia again. The difference from the previous one is that the Y-20 transport plane has opened up a new overseas route during this air delivery mission.

  As a Chinese reporter participating in the news report of this exercise, I and the directors of the Chinese participating troops belong to the second echelon of air transport. We departed from Shenyang, Liaoning on September 10, and took the same Yun-20 transport plane to Orenburg, Russia. .

For me personally, this close contact with Yun-20 is also a brand new experience, so that I lost sleep at 5 o'clock in the morning.

The directors arrived in Orenburg, Russia.

Li Chunshe

  The Yun-20 transport aircraft, known as "Kunpeng", is the first domestically-made large-scale military transport aircraft independently developed by China. In July 2016, it was officially installed in the Air Force of the Chinese Air Force.

Since joining the army for more than 5 years, Yun-20 has sent anti-epidemic supplies abroad for many times, has participated in joint military exercises and international military competitions in Russia, and has visited many countries.

  In my previous military reporting experience, I used to take the Chinese army’s Il-76 transport aircraft, the Z-8 helicopter and the Russian military’s Mi-171 helicopter. "Comfort" is linked together.

But the flight experience of Yun-20 is obviously better than I expected.

  The luggage and material codes of all the staff are placed in a large area in the center of the cabin, including my rucksack, hand luggage and carry-on backpack.

But a group of dozens of people didn't feel very crowded after they were seated. There was even some space to move around in the cabin to relieve muscle soreness caused by sitting for a long time.

Noise is naturally there. Fortunately, with previous interview experience, I prepared soundproof earplugs in advance.

  Around noon, mechanical sounds of lowering the landing gear were heard in the cabin.

After a slight sway, the plane landed smoothly at a military airport in Urumqi for a short rest.

A self-heating rice meal is our lunch, and it also brings you a "relaxed moment" when you can take off your mask.

The Russian personnel measured the body temperature of the Chinese personnel.

Li Chunshe

  According to the epidemic prevention requirements, all personnel taking the transport aircraft are required to wear N95 masks.

Before departure, the security forces also distributed a considerable number of medical masks, N95 masks, medical gloves and hand sanitizers to everyone.

Of course, I also prepared some for myself before going.

  After a short stay, the Yun-20 plane returned to the blue sky again.

The noise in the cabin remained the same, and communication could only rely on writing and gestures, but the officers and soldiers dealt with it calmly.

Many people were closing their eyes to rest their minds, and some were walking slowly, looking at the desert and blue sky outside the porthole from time to time.

Others are holding a book and enjoying reading time.

In such a noisy environment, people's mood is easier to calm down.

  I also thought about the joint military exercise in this calm.

Security cooperation is a key area of ​​cooperation for the SCO. As the code name of this joint exercise, the eight member states regard the maintenance of peace as their mission.

The holding of joint counter-terrorism military exercises not only demonstrates the will of the member states to jointly maintain regional security and stability, as well as their determination and ability to combat the "three forces", but also reflects the level of cooperation between all parties in the field of defense and security.

  In this context, such joint exercises have become an important part of the exchanges and cooperation between the member states of the SCO, which is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability.

For the Chinese military, deepening strategic mutual trust, deepening traditional friendship, and expanding in-depth cooperation are more than just words. Participating in related joint military exercises is more of a contribution to regional stability and world peace with practical actions.

The Russian personnel held a welcoming ceremony for the Chinese personnel.

Li Chunshe

  After about 10 hours of flying, the Y-20 plane landed at Orenburg Airport 2.

The moment we opened the hatch, the clear air on the Ural River was the first to greet us.

The night temperature here is almost zero, and the time is 3 hours later than Beijing time.

The Russian staff prepared a brief and grand welcome ceremony, of course, the traditional welcome etiquette: bread dipped in salt.

  In the next half month, the participating troops of the SCO member states will take "preparation and implementation of joint counter-terrorism operations" as the subject to exercise reconnaissance and surveillance, fire strikes, and combat drone attacks.

It is foreseeable that a fiery "military drama" will be staged in this cold grassland.

  Reporter: Li Chun