Singapore troops join China drill

China is holding its first anti-terrorism operation with foreign forces

China and Singapore are conducting a joint anti-terrorism exercise in southern China's Guangxi province.

The week-long drill is the People's Liberation Army's first anti-terrorism exercise with foreign forces, said Xinhua, China's state news agency.

About 60 soldiers from each country are practicing reactions to attacks from enemies using radioactive contaminants and chemical and biological weapons.

China and Singapore signed a defence and security agreement early last year.

Analysts say that China's presence in the Asian region has grown in recent years, through trade and investment, but development of strategic relationships, as seen in military ties, has been slower.