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China to hold air force drills with Thailand as it bolsters Southeast Asia defence ties
- Decline in Bangkok’s military relations with long-time ally Washington has allowed Beijing to shore up cooperation and weapons sales
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![Thai and Chinese troops attend the opening ceremony of last year’s Falcon Strike exercise in Thailand in July 2023. Photo: PLA Air Force](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/08/14/973a7859-c31f-4c5d-8498-390a338e946f_021c3c97.jpg?itok=o58Lv2eV&v=1723622693)
China and Thailand will commence their annual joint air force drill this Sunday as Beijing continues to shore up defence relations with Southeast Asian nations.
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The exercise, known as Falcon Strike 2024, will be held from August 18 -29 at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, according to Thailand’s air force.
China’s Ministry of National Defence said it would send aircraft and special operations forces to take part in the training, which is aimed at “enhancing the combat skills of the participating troops from both sides and deepening practical exchanges and cooperation”.
The Falcon Strike joint training exercises have been held annually since 2015 but were suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s event is the seventh training exercise between the air forces of China and Thailand.
The base, located in Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand, was formerly a United States Air Force base.
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