Chinese army will join Cobra Gold exercise for the first time in February

[george]

Chinese army will join Cobra Gold exercise for the first time in February

The Chinese People’s Army will join the Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand for the first time starting on February 9 but will focus on disaster relief and people’s support exercises.
An informed source in the Thai Supreme Command said Sunday that the Chinese participation in Cobra Gold this year was similar in nature with the non-military exercises of troops from South Korea and Japan.

The same source disclosed that, in fact, Thai and Chinese troops had staged several joint military exercises for instances the joint exercises between special forces, marine and air forces of the two countries. However, the source said that the Thai military wanted the joint exercises to proceed gradually because there is still a language barrier which is yet to be tackled.

Prior to the start of the Cobra Gold exercise, Chinese defence minister will visit Thailand on February 6-8 during which he will discuss with Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on joint cooperation in the development of armaments such as multi-tube missiles.

This year’s Cobra Gold exercise will be low key and focus on command post exercises rather than field exercises. About 10,000 troops from 20 nations will join this year’s exercise, including 5,000 from the US, 4,000 troops from Thailand. The exercise will be conducted in Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces and it will last about two weeks.

-- Thai PBS 2015-02-01

[ratcatcher]

This should be interesting.

[NCC1701A]

you got to be kidding right?

why don't we just invite the North Koreans while we are at it.

i wonder if the Thais cleared this with the US military before inviting the commies and their "disaster relief and people’s support exercises" bulls*it?

Edited February 1, 2015 by NCC1701A

[manarak]

you got to be kidding right?

why don't we just invite the North Koreans while we are at it.

i wonder if the Thais cleared this with the US military before inviting the commies and their "disaster relief and people’s support exercises" bulls*it?

"we" ?

you hold Thai citizenship?

[chainarong]

Yeah right , go ahead and make my day.

[Bkungbank]

It's better to have a strong relation with neigbour countries, in huamtarian and nature disaster need shouold help each other like tsunami all the countries pouring help together.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Bkungbank

[tonbridgebrit]

This makes me laugh, it makes me laugh my ruddy head off !!

What next ? Are the Russian soldiers, are they going to be in Thailand in the future ??

[ezzra]

one more way for the Chinese to gain first hand warfare knowledge with the aid of the bumbling

Thai government whom are oblivious to the fact the they let the Chinese snake gain foothold

on one of the last remaining areas until now, I mean, how far will the Thai government will go to

appease and ass-kiss the Chinese people?

[Paulc01]

you got to be kidding right?

why don't we just invite the North Koreans while we are at it.

i wonder if the Thais cleared this with the US military before inviting the commies and their "disaster relief and people’s support exercises" bulls*it?

"we" ?

you hold Thai citizenship?

"We" in this case also refers to the United States, which is the major organizer behind Cobra Gold. So, yes, "we," meaning American citizens, certainly do have a right to question the appropriateness of Chinese participation--even if it was authorized by both the Thais and the US.

[NongKhaiKid]

There is no language barrier to be tackled, the communication is quite clear.

China has the cash and more than willing to dole it out to a country more than willing to do anything to get it but without any thought as to what future ' interest ' payments might entail.

[Ricardo]

"the source said that the Thai military wanted the joint exercises to proceed gradually because there is still a language barrier which is yet to be tackled."

Translation :- For some unaccountable reason, the Chinese military don't speak Thai ! Alai-Na ?

[Jeremy50]

My uncle used to tell me that in Korea, the Chinese would advance under their own artillery fire, so were happily killed by their own before they received fire from the Brit trenches. So many died that they were used as sandbags in the freezing weather.

[Roadman]

It's better to have a strong relation with neigbour countries, in huamtarian and nature disaster need shouold help each other like tsunami all the countries pouring help together.

Careful.. you are applying intelligence and thinking of solutions which is not a strong point of most on here.

[geriatrickid]

Whoa folks, please take a chill pill. This is not a surprise and NOT new. There is no conspiracy and was expected.

The Chinese had observer status last year. In 2014, the USA invited China to participate in the humanitarian and civil assistance (HCA) portion of the exercise, where 17 members of the PLA assisted in the building of a school in northern Thailand and participated in the exercise’s civic health engagement events.

Why this is a surprise is beyond me. The Chinese participated in the far more extensive and longer RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii last year.

Cobra Gold's 2015 focus will be on humanitarian relief preparation and to a lesser extent anti piracy training. It is to be expected that the Chinese would participate as the recent events involving the loss of the Air Asia and Malaysian airline airplanes underlined the need to co-ordinate search and rescue resources.

By the way, the US navy and Chinese navy have had a few joint anti piracy training exercises in the Gulf of Aden over the past few years.

Why is it such a shock when navies undertake peaceful training exercises? How else do people expect them to work together when a crisis arises?

[MaxLee]

"the source said that the Thai military wanted the joint exercises to proceed gradually because there is still a language barrier which is yet to be tackled."

Translation :- For some unaccountable reason, the Chinese military don't speak Thai ! Alai-Na ?

But each party understands one common language, which is corruption deal!!! Surprised???

[sundrenched]

"News of China's addition came after the RTAF abruptly cancelled a joint press conference on the war games with US charge d'affaires W Patrick Murphy Sunday. " in the BP.

[Soutpeel]

Jeez you have better get the heart medication and defibrillator ready for "Never sure" when he reads this, the US cosying up to the commie Chinese !

Pretty sure TV most rabid anti Chinese member is going to have something to say and start with his vile rhetoric against China

[sundrenched]

Whoa folks, please take a chill pill. This is not a surprise and NOT new. There is no conspiracy and was expected.

The Chinese had observer status last year. In 2014, the USA invited China to participate in the humanitarian and civil assistance (HCA) portion of the exercise, where 17 members of the PLA assisted in the building of a school in northern Thailand and participated in the exercises civic health engagement events.

Why this is a surprise is beyond me. The Chinese participated in the far more extensive and longer RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii last year.

Cobra Gold's 2015 focus will be on humanitarian relief preparation and to a lesser extent anti piracy training. It is to be expected that the Chinese would participate as the recent events involving the loss of the Air Asia and Malaysian airline airplanes underlined the need to co-ordinate search and rescue resources.

By the way, the US navy and Chinese navy have had a few joint anti piracy training exercises in the Gulf of Aden over the past few years.

Why is it such a shock when navies undertake peaceful training exercises? How else do people expect them to work together when a crisis arises?

Fair enough, but the timing is obviously political, the abrupt cancellation (above post), and Thailand and China already have separate training programs.

It's clearly a crude move to signal to the US that China is a suitor too, so they better shape up. Not a good move, and also the Japanese won't like it. The Africans also were happy to see the Chinese at first instead of having those European hypocrits lecture them. If you want business as usual where the rich get bribed to sell out their own countrymen, the Chinese will be great for that.

[h90]

you got to be kidding right?

why don't we just invite the North Koreans while we are at it.

i wonder if the Thais cleared this with the US military before inviting the commies and their "disaster relief and people’s support exercises" bulls*it?

China is gaining power, money and military strength....While USA is struggling to keep hold on their vassals, specially these in the neighborhood of other powers.

It will get worse in future. I don't know if it is for the better or the worse.

[CarnegieJoe]

The exercise is held in Thailand so I am sure that Thailand can invite any of her friends she likes. Wasn't the U.S pulling out of the exercise anyway.

[Soutpeel]

you got to be kidding right?

why don't we just invite the North Koreans while we are at it.

i wonder if the Thais cleared this with the US military before inviting the commies and their "disaster relief and people’s support exercises" bulls*it?

Don't choke on your apple pie dear boy, but your comments show how very little you know about the exercises your waving the flag about

Some facts

Vietnam

Laos

China

( all communist and all have observer status already in CG

Myanmar - military dictatorship - observer status

Indonesia - biggest Muslim population in the world yes I know you never mentioned inviting terrorists

Edited February 2, 2015 by ubonjoe
removed a inflammatory comment

[ikke]

The US should not join, stop this bullsh*t !

[Soutpeel]

The US should not join, stop this bullsh*t !

Why, its exercises in international co operation and defense, so it can only be good for the region

So your suggesting the US go off in a childish huff and take their ball home ? Just as well your not a military leader then

Edited February 2, 2015 by Soutpeel

[2fishin2]

Whoa folks, please take a chill pill. This is not a surprise and NOT new. There is no conspiracy and was expected.

The Chinese had observer status last year. In 2014, the USA invited China to participate in the humanitarian and civil assistance (HCA) portion of the exercise, where 17 members of the PLA assisted in the building of a school in northern Thailand and participated in the exercises civic health engagement events.

Why this is a surprise is beyond me. The Chinese participated in the far more extensive and longer RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii last year.

Cobra Gold's 2015 focus will be on humanitarian relief preparation and to a lesser extent anti piracy training. It is to be expected that the Chinese would participate as the recent events involving the loss of the Air Asia and Malaysian airline airplanes underlined the need to co-ordinate search and rescue resources.

By the way, the US navy and Chinese navy have had a few joint anti piracy training exercises in the Gulf of Aden over the past few years.

Why is it such a shock when navies undertake peaceful training exercises? How else do people expect them to work together when a crisis arises?

Fair enough, but the timing is obviously political, the abrupt cancellation (above post), and Thailand and China already have separate training programs.

It's clearly a crude move to signal to the US that China is a suitor too, so they better shape up. Not a good move, and also the Japanese won't like it. The Africans also were happy to see the Chinese at first instead of having those European hypocrits lecture them. If you want business as usual where the rich get bribed to sell out their own countrymen, the Chinese will be great for that.

Having been involved with the Cobra Gold and Cope Tiger exercises for a number of years I know this not to be the case. Do you think a country has a quick get together and invites neighbors to a bbq or something? The exercise and participants have been scheduled since last year. At least a year prior to that the governments had to talk about the participation.

The US has held numerous exercise over the years with China and for that matter many other countries.

Not everything is a conspiracy theory guys.

[Soutpeel]

Whoa folks, please take a chill pill. This is not a surprise and NOT new. There is no conspiracy and was expected.

The Chinese had observer status last year. In 2014, the USA invited China to participate in the humanitarian and civil assistance (HCA) portion of the exercise, where 17 members of the PLA assisted in the building of a school in northern Thailand and participated in the exercises civic health engagement events.

Why this is a surprise is beyond me. The Chinese participated in the far more extensive and longer RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii last year.

Cobra Gold's 2015 focus will be on humanitarian relief preparation and to a lesser extent anti piracy training. It is to be expected that the Chinese would participate as the recent events involving the loss of the Air Asia and Malaysian airline airplanes underlined the need to co-ordinate search and rescue resources.

By the way, the US navy and Chinese navy have had a few joint anti piracy training exercises in the Gulf of Aden over the past few years.

Why is it such a shock when navies undertake peaceful training exercises? How else do people expect them to work together when a crisis arises?

Fair enough, but the timing is obviously political, the abrupt cancellation (above post), and Thailand and China already have separate training programs.

It's clearly a crude move to signal to the US that China is a suitor too, so they better shape up. Not a good move, and also the Japanese won't like it. The Africans also were happy to see the Chinese at first instead of having those European hypocrits lecture them. If you want business as usual where the rich get bribed to sell out their own countrymen, the Chinese will be great for that.

Having been involved with the Cobra Gold and Cope Tiger exercises for a number of years I know this not to be the case. Do you think a country has a quick get together and invites neighbors to a bbq or something? The exercise and participants have been scheduled since last year. At least a year prior to that the governments had to talk about the participation.

The US has held numerous exercise over the years with China and for that matter many other countries.

Not everything is a conspiracy theory guys.

But this is news to some of the Fox watching red neck members of TV, who wear their bias' so obviously on their sleeves

Let's face it its not the worse that has been done, inviting the Taliban to a Texas BBQ must rank far worse than involving commie Chinese in some military exercises

Edited February 2, 2015 by Soutpeel

[BSJ]

I don't think it matters who is involved. The Chinese maybe flexing their muscles somewhat, but I think it will be constructing a school or something like that.

Take a chill pill folks!

[craigt3365]

Whoa folks, please take a chill pill. This is not a surprise and NOT new. There is no conspiracy and was expected.

The Chinese had observer status last year. In 2014, the USA invited China to participate in the humanitarian and civil assistance (HCA) portion of the exercise, where 17 members of the PLA assisted in the building of a school in northern Thailand and participated in the exercise’s civic health engagement events.

Why this is a surprise is beyond me. The Chinese participated in the far more extensive and longer RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii last year.

Cobra Gold's 2015 focus will be on humanitarian relief preparation and to a lesser extent anti piracy training. It is to be expected that the Chinese would participate as the recent events involving the loss of the Air Asia and Malaysian airline airplanes underlined the need to co-ordinate search and rescue resources.

By the way, the US navy and Chinese navy have had a few joint anti piracy training exercises in the Gulf of Aden over the past few years.

Why is it such a shock when navies undertake peaceful training exercises? How else do people expect them to work together when a crisis arises?

Well put. This is definitely not the first time China and the US have had joint exercises. The more they work together, the better they will understand each other and "hopefully" help eliminate future issues. This isn't really a big deal...

http://thediplomat.com/2014/10/us-australia-china-hold-first-ever-military-drill-but-so-what/

However, I think such exercises start doing far more harm than good when officials and foreign policy experts from the countries involved try to ascribe significance to them which they clearly don’t warrant.

[trainman34014]

It won't be many years before 'Cobra Gold' becomes 'Cobra Yellow' as the Thai's move ever backwards and closer to their roots.

[worgeordie]

Lets hope they return home after the exercises are over ,and

don't choose to set up a base or two here.

This will be a returned snub to the US,

regards Worgeordie

[sundrenched]

Whoa folks, please take a chill pill. This is not a surprise and NOT new. There is no conspiracy and was expected.

The Chinese had observer status last year. In 2014, the USA invited China to participate in the humanitarian and civil assistance (HCA) portion of the exercise, where 17 members of the PLA assisted in the building of a school in northern Thailand and participated in the exercises civic health engagement events.

Why this is a surprise is beyond me. The Chinese participated in the far more extensive and longer RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii last year.

Cobra Gold's 2015 focus will be on humanitarian relief preparation and to a lesser extent anti piracy training. It is to be expected that the Chinese would participate as the recent events involving the loss of the Air Asia and Malaysian airline airplanes underlined the need to co-ordinate search and rescue resources.

By the way, the US navy and Chinese navy have had a few joint anti piracy training exercises in the Gulf of Aden over the past few years.

Why is it such a shock when navies undertake peaceful training exercises? How else do people expect them to work together when a crisis arises?

Fair enough, but the timing is obviously political, the abrupt cancellation (above post), and Thailand and China already have separate training programs.

It's clearly a crude move to signal to the US that China is a suitor too, so they better shape up. Not a good move, and also the Japanese won't like it. The Africans also were happy to see the Chinese at first instead of having those European hypocrits lecture them. If you want business as usual where the rich get bribed to sell out their own countrymen, the Chinese will be great for that.

Having been involved with the Cobra Gold and Cope Tiger exercises for a number of years I know this not to be the case. Do you think a country has a quick get together and invites neighbors to a bbq or something? The exercise and participants have been scheduled since last year. At least a year prior to that the governments had to talk about the participation.

The US has held numerous exercise over the years with China and for that matter many other countries.

Not everything is a conspiracy theory guys.

Read my first post in this thread and the article "war games" in the news section of the BP. From the way it's written, they're certainly springing a surprise on the Americans, and of course it's meant to convey a message.