Special warfare troops from Thailand and China on Friday started their second combined training, with a theme of anti-terror, in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai.
Coded "Strike-2008", the training will last twenty days. This is the first time the Chinese army has ever engaged in combined training conducted overseas for such a long duration.
The first Sino-Thai combined training "Strike-2007" was conducted in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province in July last year.
Major General Supharat Phatthanawisut, Deputy Commanding General, Special Warfare Command of The Royal Thai Army, and Major General Zheng Qin, Deputy Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guangzhou Military Area Command, each led a delegation to attend Friday's opening at the camp site of the Thai Army Special Troops fifth Corps in Chiang Mai.
In presiding over the opening ceremony, Zheng said this year's training will highlight the theme of anti-terrorism, which is in line with the trends in current global and domestic security situation. He reiterated that China is willing to enhance military exchange and cooperation with other countries to strengthen readiness for anti-terror warfare and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.
The training involves 48 personnel from the special troops of both sides, 24 for each, who will be mixed into two teams to join in the combined training.
Divided into four stages, the training include basic training, skills training, combat tactics training, and comprehensive exercise, aiming to strengthen capability and readiness in combined training and commanding of the troops.
Source: Xinhua
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