By Jermyn Chow, Defence Correspondent In Nanjing, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2014
The exercise, codenamed Cooperation, was the third in a series and played out over Nanjing's rugged terrain, in an area the size of Pulau Ubin.
It is the first time that both armies are putting their infantry troops through conventional land warfare scenarios, stepping up the intensity of the joint military drill.
The previous two exercises in 2009 and 2010 were based on anti-terror drills that tested how 120 soldiers from both sides responded to chemical and explosive threats, among other missions.
This time round, foot soldiers went through their paces in a series of missions, which included shooting practice and clearing obstacles.
The nine-day drill, which started on Nov 1, culminated in a combined live-firing exercise that saw Singaporean and Chinese soldiers fighting alongside each other, firing live rounds to take out hostile targets. They were backed up by three of the PLA's main battle tanks.
The PLA's mortars also fired rockets that screamed towards targets in quick succession, creating huge puffs of smoke and dust.
All in, the troops pounded 84 targets with 7,000 small-arms rounds.
The sound and fury of the 45-minute mock battle was witnessed by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who attended yesterday's closing ceremony at the Xingli training area. Also present was the Nanjing military region commander, General Cai Yingting.
Brigadier-General Lim Hock Yu, the army's Chief of Staff - General Staff, said the wide range of training activities allowed troops to "understand each other better and forged stronger friendships between both armed forces".
Brigadier-General Lim Hock Yu, the army's Chief of Staff - General Staff, said the wide range of training activities allowed troops to "understand each other better and forged stronger friendships between both armed forces".
Dr Ng, who is in China for a week-long visit that will end this Friday, thanked Gen Cai for hosting the Singapore troops, saying that the joint exercise builds good and close military ties between both sides.
"There are very few things that forge closer ties than charging up the hill together, sleeping in the same barracks, bathing in cold water together and eating food together," he said.
Gen Cai said this year's joint exercise has taken Sino-Singapore ties to "new highs" as it has improved the camaraderie among the troops who "fight shoulder to shoulder in the battlefield".
China has participated in joint training exercises with other countries in the region, such as Australia, Indonesia and Thailand. Engaging the PLA in such interactions could help build bilateral relations with China and cooperation among these countries.
S'pore to step up defence relations with China: Ng Eng Hen
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S'pore to step up defence relations with China: Ng Eng Hen
By Jermyn Chow, Defence Correspondent In Qingdao, The Straits Times, 12 Nov 2014
SINGAPORE will find ways to step up military ties with China, on the back of the mutual confidence both nations have built up over the years, said visiting Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Although Singapore has a small navy, its Chinese counterpart knows that the Republic is a "good friend" and that bilateral relations are strong, Dr Ng said.
"We treasure each other's confidence... and we will continue to find ways to step up defence relations." He was speaking to reporters yesterday after touring the Qingdao naval base, the headquarters of the People's Liberation Army Navy's North Sea Fleet, on the fourth day of his China trip.
Dr Ng, who was accompanied by senior military officers and defence policy makers, met the northern fleet's chief of staff, Rear-Admiral Wei Gang, and also checked out the Chinese navy's latest missile corvette, Fushun. The 89m stealth warship, which went operational four months ago, features anti-ship cruise missiles and anti-submarine torpedos, among other weapons.
Noting that the Chinese navy only opens up its newest warship and weapons to "selected guests", Dr Ng said: "It speaks of a PLA Navy that is confident of its abilities and also very professional in its military outlook."
The North Sea Fleet, one of China's three naval fleets, is responsible for the Yellow Sea and coastal areas in north-east China. The fleet has also contributed ships to counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
In 2012, Dr Ng visited the South Sea Fleet, which is based in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province.
Rear-Adm Wei said the northern fleet and the Republic of Singapore Navy are "old friends", with sailors and ships involved in multilateral sea drills, and calling at each other's ports. Moving forward, the North Sea Fleet will continue to build "strategic trust" with its Singapore counterpart.
For instance, the fleet is in the midst of selecting the first PLA Navy officer to be positioned in a Singapore-based maritime security watch group, the Information Fusion Centre, which is housed in the Changi Naval Base.
Sino-Singapore military ties have grown over the years since the PLA and the Singapore Armed Forces inked an agreement to formalise bilateral defence activities in 2008.
Last Sunday, both armies wrapped up their biggest joint war games to date, with 140 infantry troops from both sides teaming up to fire their weapons and practise battle manoeuvres.
Tomorrow, Dr Ng will deliver a speech on the Asian Century at the PLA National Defence University in Beijing.
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