Beijing: China and Malaysia are set to engage in joint military exercises in Malaysia and its surrounding waters this month, as announced by Beijing's Defense Ministry. The drills, named 'Peace and Friendship-2025,' are scheduled to occur from mid-to-late October 2025.

According to Anadolu Agency, the exercises will focus on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security. These activities will involve multi-service forces from both nations participating in live-action training sessions. Other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been invited to attend the event as observers, as stated by the ministry.

This event marks the sixth edition of the Peace and Friendship exercise series, which aims to strengthen practical cooperation between Chinese and Southeast Asian militaries. The drills are intended to enhance their collective capacity to address non-traditional security challenges while fostering peace and stability in the region.