Aircraft from the Thai and Chinese air forces, including fighter jets and bombers, took part in joint military exercises in northeastern Thailand on Sunday, amid tensions in the region over Taiwan.
The exercises, called Falcon Strike 2022, will run until the end of August with the aim of “increasing mutual friendship and understanding” of the air forces and strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Chinese authorities specified that the exercises, which have been interrupted in recent years due to the pandemic, will consist of training for “air supply, attacks on ground targets and small and large-scale troop deployments.”
Thailand, which like other countries in the region is trying to maintain a diplomatic balance between Beijing and Washington, has approved the purchase of Chinese submarines and combat vehicles, but operations have been suspended due to the pandemic and other obstacles.
The joint Sino-Thai exercises take place after the tension caused by the recent visit to Taiwan by the president of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, a presence contested by Beijing, which then began military maneuvers in the vicinity of the territory.
This Sunday, it was announced that another delegation with members of the United States Congress arrived in Taiwan for a visit.
New US Congressional Delegation Visits Taiwan
Source: Observadora
