China and Thailand will hold joint naval training, "Blue Strike-2023", in the Gulf of Thailand and Sattahip early this month.

Spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, told a press briefing in Beijing that the exercise aims to improve training level and coordination ability of participating troops, enhance practical cooperation between the two navies, and strengthening their capabilities of jointly addressing regional security threats.

The Chinese naval troops to participate in the "Blue Strike-2023" joint naval training have already arrived at the training area in Thailand.