BEIJING – China and Malaysia will conduct a joint military exercise in mid-October aimed at enhancing disaster relief and anti-piracy cooperation, China’s Defence Ministry and an affiliated media outlet announced on Wednesday. The drills, to be held in Malaysia and its surrounding waters from Oct 15 to 23, mark the sixth edition of the bilateral exercise series. Participating forces departed on Oct 8 from China’s ports in Zhanjiang, Sanya, and Hong Kong, according to the China Military Bugle, a publication linked to the People’s Liberation Army. More than 1,000 troops will take part, including over 700 personnel from China, supported by vessels, helicopters, and unmanned systems.
The exercise will focus on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security operations. Observers from other ASEAN member states have been invited, reflecting Beijing’s continued push for cooperation with Southeast Asian militaries amid regional tensions over the South China Sea. China’s Defence Ministry stated that the initiative is intended to “deepen practical cooperation, improve joint response capabilities to non-traditional security threats, and maintain regional peace and stability.” Malaysia’s Defence Ministry has not yet issued a statement regarding the event.
The previous joint exercise, hosted by China in 2023, included participation from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This year’s operation underscores ongoing military engagement between China and ASEAN countries despite overlapping maritime claims. Malaysia will also host the ASEAN Summit at the end of October, where leaders are set to evaluate progress on the long-discussed South China Sea code of conduct and hold an ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting from Oct 30 to Nov 2.