China and Thailand will hold a joint air force exercise in Thailand in August

On July 30, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced that China and Thailand will hold a joint air force exercise codenamed "Eagle Strike2026" in Thailand in August. The Chinese side will send multiple types of aircraft as well as groundbased air defense forces to conduct drills together with the Thai side, including joint air defense and humanitarian rescue exercises. This will be the 9th time the air forces of China and Thailand have held this series of joint exercises. The Chinese side said that this training will help further deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries and promote practical cooperation to go deeper and more substantial. The Ministry of National Defense spokesperson also mentioned that recently Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun visited Thailand and Brunei upon invitation, and the relevant arrangements are intended to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance security mutual trust, and advance defense cooperation. The Chinese side also stated that it will continue to strengthen cooperation with the Thai side in areas such as joint exercises and training, personnel exchanges, and humanitarian disaster relief, so as to promote regional peace and stability.