China's Military Advances Thanks to the Pentagon

U.S., Thai and other military forces have begun Cobra Gold, the largest multinational exercise in the Asia-Pacific region, including 17 Chinese troops for the first time, a move perceived in China as proof that Beijing's "regional military impact" cannot be ignored.

Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, opened the Feb. 11-21 Cobra Gold 2014 exercise at Camp Akatosarot, about 230 miles north of Bangkok, on Tuesday (Feb. 11).

"Cobra Gold truly replicates the dynamic security environment we find ourselves in today, and what we will face in the future," Adm. Locklear said at the ceremony.

This year's Cobra Gold includes more than 13,000 participants from various nations, Adm. Locklear said.

It is the 33rd time the U.S.-Thai annual event has been held in Thailand, which is a U.S. treaty ally.

About 9,000 U.S. troops are training alongside 4,000 from Thailand, plus 80 Singaporeans, 120 from Japan, 300 South Koreans, 160 from Indonesia, and 120 from Malaysia.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, along with Laos, Vietnam and several other nations are observers.

China is "an observer-plus nation" offering a "humanitarian civic assistance team," the U.S. Department of the Army said.

China will not be included in Cobra Gold's top-level military maneuvers which involve live-fire drills, strategic air drop, jungle survival training, amphibious landings, and F/A-18 Hornet warplanes.

"Seventeen Chinese soldiers, mainly from the Guangzhou Military Area Command, will participate in humanitarian relief drills," China's Xinhua news agency reported.

"The Chinese squad will take part in operations at the command and coordination center, engineering assistance, medical aid as well as discussions and exchanges of military medical sciences," Xinhua said.

China's inclusion "reflects Beijing's growing military capability and impact on the region," China Daily reported on Wednesday (Feb. 12).

It "demonstrates Beijing's warming military ties with Washington," the paper said.

"China's attendance is a ground-breaking move," said Du Wenlong, a senior researcher at the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science.

"That means the growth of its military capability, and its regional military impact especially, cannot be ignored," Du said, according to China Daily.

"As the exercise is led by the U.S. and its ally Thailand, Beijing's participation quenches the suspicion that the drill is targeted at China," said Li Haidong, a researcher in U.S. studies at China Foreign Affairs University.

"Beijing has sent the message through this move that it is willing to further communicate in military affairs with the U.S. and its allies," Li said, according to China Daily.

Thailand enjoys good diplomatic, business, cultural and military relations with China, and is pleased Beijing is included.

"China's participation in the drill is a positive sign, as it could reduce mistrust," said Lt. Gen. Tharnchaiyant Srisuwan, director of joint operations at Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.

"All countries are relieved. The move will also boost military relations between China and ASEAN," he told the Bangkok Post, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Malaria, heat exhaustion and other medical problems also challenge the multinational forces in Thailand's tropical terrain, U.S. military doctors said.

"When you go to a foreign country, on average, 30-40 percent of people will get sick from food or water related illnesses," said Capt. Seung Seo, the officer in charge of the U.S. 225th Brigade Support Battalion during Cobra Gold.

"For vector borne diseases such as malaria, we prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic," said Capt. Seo, who is also the force health protection officer.

"We also gather insect samples to see what types of insects are in the area. This gives us a good indication as to what possible diseases could be a threat," Capt. Seo said, according to the army's Facebook page.

Richard S. Ehrlich is a Bangkok-based journalist from San Francisco, California, reporting news from Asia since 1978.

His websites are
http://asia-correspondent.tumblr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/animists/sets
https://gumroad.com/l/RHwa

© Scoop Media