Chinese, Thai armies kick off joint military drill

The Chinese and Thai army special forces kicked off a 14-day joint anti-terror training in Thailand on Monday morning. Code-named "Strike-2013," the drill is the fourth of its kind hosted by the two countries, according to China's (Xinhua) News Agency. The drill is aimed at further deepening exchanges between the special forces of the two neighboring countries and enhancing their capabilities of training and performing special operations. It is also intended to strengthen the friendly ties between the special forces of the two nations and expand future cooperation. Both faced with threats posed by the development and infiltration of terrorist forces, China and Thailand should join hands, beef up exchanges and cooperation and improve the capabilities of performing diversified military missions, Wang Junli, chairman of the Chinese delegation and deputy chief of staff from China's Guangzhou Military Area Command, said at the opening ceremony. The two countries should make their due contributions to safeguarding regional safety and stability, as well as promoting global peace and development, Wang added.