FUZHOU - "Mission Action 2013 A", the first phase of the "Mission Action 2013" military exercise, began in some of China's country's eastern and southern areas on Tuesday.

It involved over 17,000 soldiers from the No 31 Field Army of the Nanjing Military Area Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The Donghai Fleet, the Nanhai Fleet and the Air Force have attached their ships, planes and gunships to the exercise, along with civilian assistant forces like civil airliners and railways, according to Commander Cai Yingting of the Nanjing Military Area Command.

The troops will test and improve their abilities in fast reaction under real-war circumstances, said Ma Chengxiao, commander of the No. 31 Field Army.

In recent years, the PLA has conducted a series of large-scale military exercises with several military area commands, including "Stride 2009" and "Mission Action 2010."

"Mission Action 2013" is to be carried out in three phases.