China, Malaysia, Thailand to hold joint drill

China, Malaysia and Thailand will hold a joint military exercise "Peace and Friendship 2018" from October 20 to 29 in Malaysia's Port Dickson, Port Klang and offshore waters, Chinese Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Sunday.

China will send 692 troops, three destroyer-frigates, two shipboard helicopters, three IL-76 airlifters and four vehicles to the drill. All of them will be dispatched from the navy of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and PLA garrisons in Hong Kong and Macao SARs. 

The purpose of the joint drill is to demonstrate the common will of safeguarding regional peace and stability, enhance exchange and cooperation, and improve the ability to counter various security threats, according to the statement.

The drill is not targeting at any other country, it said.