China and Thailand begin latest joint military drills as Beijing boosts defence ties

11 days of exercises in Kunming are focused on fighting terrorism, deploying unmanned combat devices ‘under complex situations’

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The “Strike-2024” joint military exercise is scheduled for 11 days near the Chinese city of Kunming. Photo: PLA

Published: 6:47pm, 16 Oct 2024Updated: 7:18pm, 16 Oct 2024

China and Thailand emphasised counterterrorism operations as their militaries kicked off an 11-day joint training exercise in the Chinese city of Kunming on Tuesday, with drills that feature manned-unmanned combat devices such as drones.

The exercises, dubbed “Strike-2024”, are being staged 800km (500 miles) north of the Thai border in a challenging landscape and include hostage rescues, special demolitions, helicopter deployments, and search and sweep exercises, according to the People’s Liberation Army Daily.

The goal is to enhance joint operational capabilities “under complex situations”, such as difficult mountain and jungle terrain, and counter cross-border criminal activities and non-traditional security threats to “contribute positively to regional stability”, the paper reported.

The opening ceremony for the latest China-Thailand military exercise was held on Tuesday. Photo: PLA

After an opening ceremony, Thai soldiers observed Chinese troops practising combat drills, and were given hands-on experience with light weapons, unmanned combat equipment and reconnaissance devices used by the Chinese side.

Video from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed the Thai army – which normally uses US-supplied weapons – practising drills with different models of Chinese-made Type-95-1 assault rifles.

The exercise is the seventh in the “Strike” series between the two countries’ armed forces, and is being held as China ramps up defence ties to strengthen political trust with its Southeast Asian neighbours.

According to a report by the US Naval War College, Southeast Asia is the only region where the number of China’s joint military exercises has returned to pre-pandemic levels.