The Opening Ceremony of the Exercise Aman Youyi 2023 was officiated by Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department of China, along with representatives from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand at the Zhanjiang Integrated Field of PLA Army’s Malong Combined Tactical Training Base in Guangdong, China.

In his opening speech, he expressed hope to strengthen cooperation in maintaining safety and security in the region and collectively build a community with shared aspirations for the future.

The Malaysian delegation, led by Major General Adi Ridzwan bin Abdullah, Commander of the 21st Special Service Group, consisted of 167 officers and members of the Armed Forces, with a total of 3,900 military personnel participating in Ex Aman Youyi 2023 from each participating country.

The Aman Youyi 2023 Exercise, running from Nov 13 to Nov 22, involves the Special Forces of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the warship KD SELANGOR. This exercise is themed “Military Operation on Joint Anti-Terrorism and Safeguarding Maritime Security” and is conducted in various strategic areas in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. The training aims to strengthen regional relationships and encourage military cooperation among neighboring countries to collectively maintain regional security and safety. Additionally, it seeks to enhance the region’s capabilities, particularly in combating violence and safeguarding maritime security.

Exercise Aman Youyi is a biennial multilateral joint exercise involving the participation of six countries: China, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.

The ceremony was also attended by Major General Pen Sokretvithyae from Cambodia, Major General Phanhseang Bourphanh from Laos, Captain Narong Vongpraset RTN from Thailand, and Rear Admiral Nguyen Viet Khanh from Vietnam.