BEIJING -- A total of 42 snipers from 15 countries gathered on Monday in Beijing to take part in a sniping competition with the goal of enhancing military cooperation and combating terrorism.

The four-day event, the first of its kind hosted by the Chinese armed police force, attracted snipers from France, the Republic of Belarus, Hungary and Israel, among others.

The contest features three categories: individual sniping, group sniping and comprehensive sniping. The top three winners in each category will be awarded.

The competition is being held at a shooting range and in field conditions on the outskirts of Beijing.

Sun Sijing, political commissar of the Chinese armed police forces, said at the opening ceremony that the event is also aimed at jointly maintaining world peace and better shouldering responsibility in battling terrorism.

Sun said the competition will provide a platform for snipers across the world to strengthen anti-terrorism communication, adding that it will be held biennially.