ASEAN, China experts agree on counterterrorism action plan

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) -- Experts from ASEAN countries and China agree on a counterterrorism action plan, to be forwarded to a meeting of defence ministers from ASEAN and dialogue partners in China. Thailand and China cohost an the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism (ADMM-Plus EWG on CT) in Bangkok between July 23 and 26. About 100 representatives from ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners -- namely Australia, China, Japan, India, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States – have examined and approved a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) proposed by Thailand and China. Lt Gen Chatchai Pataranavik, commander of Thai armed forces’ counterterrorism center, said the SOPs would be forwarded to the 8th ADMM-Plus EWG on CT in China. Based on the proposed SOPs, China would play host to a joint counter terrorism operation drill for ASEAN members and dialogue partners in 2019. ADMM-Plus has been a venue for strategic dialogue in defence and security issues among ASEAN and its dialogue partners. ADMM-Plus’ cooperation is focused in five priority areas; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, peacekeeping operations, military medicine and counterterrorism. (TNA)