BEIJING -- China will hold an international sniping competition on the outskirts of Beijing from Oct 18 to 22, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

The competition will be hosted by Chinese armed police forces and contestants from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and countries along the Belt and Road will be invited, according to ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang.

Ren said the competition consists of 12 major events including close-range sniping, hostage rescue and comprehensive combat.

This is the second such competition hosted by Chinese armed police forces. The first was held in 2016 and attracted snipers from 15 countries.