Commander 3rd Singapore Division, Brigadier-General (BG) Frederick Choo and Deputy Political Commissar, Southern Theater Command Army (STCA), Major-General (MG) Liu Jia co-officiated at the Exercise Cooperation opening ceremony at Jurong Camp this morning. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are conducting the bilateral army exercise in Singapore from 27 July to 5 August 2019. 

About 240 personnel from the SAF's 3rd Singapore Division and 1st Commando Battalion, as well as the PLA STCA's 74th Army Group will participate in the 10-day exercise. Both armies will engage in professional exchanges and tactical training such as rappelling and urban operations training. The exercise will culminate in an urban raid as part of the final mission exercise.  

Speaking at the opening ceremony, BG Choo highlighted that the exercise underpins the close defence ties between both militaries. He said, "Exercise Cooperation is one of the cornerstones of our strong bilateral defence ties and defence relations between our two countries… Besides sharing operational experiences, one key highlight of Exercise Cooperation has always been the cultural exchange that takes place between our two peoples and the deep friendships that we forge along the way." MG Liu also said that the exercise will help both militaries "enhance counter-terrorism capability, deepen communication, cooperation and traditional friendship."

Exercise Cooperation is in its fourth edition this year since its inauguration in 2009. The exercise underscores the warm and friendly bilateral relations between Singapore and China. Besides bilateral exercises, the two armed forces also interact regularly through high-level exchanges, mutual visits, cross-attendance of courses and port calls.