China, Thailand begin joint military training

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2012-05-11 18:15

Thai officers shake hands with Chinese marines at the kick-off ceremony of a joint training code-named Blue Commando-2012 in South China's Guangdong province on May 11.The two sides are launching a joint military training in South China's Guangdong province. The training, code-named Blue Commando-2012, will be conducted in Zhanjiang and Shanwei, in line with an agreement reached by the two countries' navies. [Photo/ mil.cnr.cn]

ZHANJIANG - Marine forces of China and Thailand started joint military training here in Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong province on Friday.

China and Thailand respectively sent teams of 372 members and 126 members to participate in the training, codenamed Blue Commando-2012.

The training, focusing on anti-terrorism, consists of field survival training and other drills, as well as seminars.

Deputy Commander of the Chinese Navy Xu Hongmeng and Royal Thai Marines commander Pongsak Puriroj attended the opening ceremony of the joint training, and they said they expected the training to improve mutual understanding of the two forces.

The training is the second of its kind by the two navies' marine forces since 2010.

A Thai officer gives a speech at the kick-off ceremony of a joint training code-named Blue Commando-2012 in South China's Guangdong province on May 11. [Photo/ mil.cnr.cn]

Marine forces from China and Thailand wait for orders in a joint training code-named Blue Commando-2012 in South China's Guangdong province on May 11. [Photo/ mil.cnr.cn]