Singapore Army and the People’s Liberation Army Strengthen Defence Relations with Conduct of Bilateral Exercise

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and People's Liberation Army (PLA) forming up for the Exercise Cooperation 2025 (XC25) Opening Ceremony.

Soldiers from the Singapore Army and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) exchange commemorative patches during the XC25 Opening Ceremony.

Chief-of-Staff 3rd Singapore Division, Colonel Yow Thiam Poh, delivering the opening address during the XC25 Opening Ceremony.

Soldiers from both armies in a cross exchange during the Equipment Display session.

The Singapore Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct the seventh edition of the bilateral Exercise Cooperation in Singapore from 10 to 17 December 2025.

This year’s exercise will centre on urban Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations, similar to the previous iteration of the exercise in 2024. It will involve 90 personnel from the SAF's 3rd Singapore Division and 1st Commando Battalion, as well as 90 personnel from the PLA Southern Theatre Command Army’s 74th Army Group. The exercise will feature a battalion-level Field Training Exercise, conducted at SAFTI City for the first time. SAFTI City is Singapore’s first high-rise urban training facility, and is equipped with smart instrumentation to provide real-time feedback to support training for a wider range of operations, including CT. Participants from both armies will also engage in tactical drills, small arms live firing, use of drones for basic reconnaissance and patrol, and cohesion activities. These interactions aim to strengthen professional exchanges and enhance people-to-people ties.

Addressing the participants at the opening ceremony, Chief-of-Staff 3rd Singapore Division, Colonel Yow Thiam Poh said “Exercise Cooperation demonstrates the warm and friendly defence ties between Singapore and China. It builds mutual trust between the People’s Liberation Army and the Singapore Army and allows our people from both sides to strengthen relationships and build bonds.” Brigade Commander, 74th Army Group, Senior Colonel Chen Wenyan, who co-officiated the ceremony echoed similar sentiments, “I hope that all participating personnel will uphold combat standards on the field, and take this opportunity to refine your skills and enhance operational competencies. We must persist in mutual learning, share experiences, and improve capability together. We must continue to build consensus, deepen understanding, and strengthen mutual trust through win-win cooperation.”

Inaugurated in 2009, Exercise Cooperation underscores the longstanding, warm and friendly defence relations between Singapore and China, and strengthens people-to-people ties. Both defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level engagements, mutual visits, academic exchanges and the cross-attendance of courses.