Thailand and China begin new joint military maneuvers

With these new military maneuvers with Thailand, China announces sending fighter planes, bombers as well as early warning planes.

(Illustrative image) REUTERS/Stringer

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Since Sunday, China and Thailand have started joint military maneuvers, the first since a long interruption due to Covid-19, according to the Thai army.

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With our correspondent in Bangkok

,

The maneuvers of the operation called " 

 " take place in Isan, in the north of the country, a strategic agricultural area, near

. 

The joint maneuvers with Thailand took place every year from 2015 until the arrival of Covid-19.

Those this summer, which will be held from August 14 to 25, are intended to "

 " with China, said the head of the Thai aviation Prapas Sornchaidee.

China announces sending fighter planes, bombers and early warning planes.

The exercises will include training for " 

 ".

The

, which also carries out joint maneuvers in Thailand every year, has expressed concern about Beijing's increased presence in the region, particularly because of the show of force around Taiwan in recent days.

Thailand seeks to balance its relations with the two great rivals, and was among the first countries to buy Chinese military equipment, following an agreement signed in 2017. China, for its part, is taking steps to extend its influence in South Asia. South-East, in particular through a large infrastructure program.

Recently, orders for Chinese submarines worth more than 700 million euros met strong political opposition in Thailand, leading to the suspension of the contract.

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