ULAN BATOR, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The annual multinational peacekeeping exercise, code-named Khaan Quest 2023, started at Five Hills Training Area near the Mongolian capital on Monday.
"Mongolia always pursues peace-loving, open, independent, and multi-pillar foreign policy. The exercise has been making a significant contribution to increasing the peace support capacity of participating countries and strengthening their friendship and military trust," Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, president of Mongolia and commander-in-chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) said at the opening ceremony.
Over 1,100 military personnel from 25 countries, including Mongolia, China, the United States, South Korea, Canada, India and Laos, are participating in the 19th edition of the peacekeeping exercise hosted by the MAF.
It is the first time for Laos to take part in it.
The exercise, which will last until July 2, consists of a command post exercise and a field training exercise.
Since its dispatch of two military observers in 2002, Mongolia has sent more than 21,000 troops to UN peacekeeping operations around the globe, according to the MAF. ■
