Singapore, China Conduct First Joint Counter-Terrorism Training Exercise

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are currently conducting an inaugural joint counter-terrorism (CT) training exercise in Guilin, China from 18 to 26 Jun 09.Codenamed COOPERATION 2009, the joint CT training exercise will involve about 60 participating troops each from the SAF and the PLA. The SAF's participating troops are from the 2nd People's Defence Force and the SAF Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Defence Group. They will exercise with personnel from the PLA Emergency Response Office and Guangzhou Military Region. The nine-day joint CT training exercise will focus on the conduct of security operations for major events and consequence management concepts related to CBRE threats.COOPERATION 2009 marks the first bilateral training exercise between the SAF and the PLA, and underscores the progress made in the defence relationship between Singapore and China following the signing of the bilateral Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation in January 2008. COOPERATION 2009 also serves to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the SAF and the PLA, which interact regularly through exchanges of visits, courses, seminars and port calls.

Posted in: China,Singapore