'Strike 2008' aimed at combating terrorism
SUBIN KHEUNKAEW & ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
The first-ever Thai-Chinese joint military exercise in Thailand aimed at suppressing international terrorism kicked off in Chiang Mai yesterday. The exercise, which involves troops from the 5th Special Forces Regiment in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district and their Chinese counterparts from Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong province, is coded-named ''Strike 2008.''
It was the first time the Guangzhou army has sent its troops to take part in joint training outside its country, said Maj-Gen Zheng Qin, deputy commander of the Guangzhou army, who co-chaired the opening ceremony.
Maj-Gen Suparat Pattanawisut, commander of the special force unit, represented Thailand at the ceremony.
The Guangzhou army deputy chief said China chose to send its troops as Thailand has lent cooperation to China.
The joint exercise, which will last until the end of the month, will be carried out under the framework of the fight against international terrorism.
 |
| A Chinese soldier looks through his telescopic sight attached to an assault rifle during the first-ever Thai-Chinese joint military exercise in Thailand, which kicked off yesterday in Chiang Mai's Mae Rim district. — SUBIN KHEUNKAEW |
The exercise will also boost military cooperation with Thailand and safeguard regional peace and stability, he said. Most of the activities will be held in Chiang Mai's Samoeng district.
Divided into four stages, the exercise will cover combat techniques, tactics and drills. The two armed forces will also send delegations to observe the training and attend the opening and closing ceremonies.
Last July, the two countries held their first joint training exercise in Guangzhou.
A Chinese soldier said he was excited as the joint exercise would give him an opportunity to use Western-made weapons, particularly those made in the United States.
China's armed forces have gradually stepped up military cooperation in recent years, resulting in 25 joint drills and two combined training exercises with 21 countries.
Chulalongkorn University associate professor on political science, Surachart Bumrungsuk, said Sino-Thai military cooperation has been proceeding for some time but the first-ever joint military exercise in Thailand might reflect an improvement in relations between US-Asean and Asean-China.
''China has been participating as an observer in the Thai-US Cobra Gold exercise. Still, any closer relations between Thailand and China should be well-balanced,'' said Mr Surachart.
Vorasakdi Mahatdhanobol, a China expert from the same faculty, said Thailand's closer ties with China are being monitored by its Asean neighbours.
The US agenda against terrorism in the Southeast Asian region has made some Asean members uneasy and they were now keener on cooperation with China, which was also embracing its own anti-terrorism policy, said Mr Vorasakdi.
Associate Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn from Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty said the US was concerned about intensified military cooperation between Thailand and China.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Next
