Chinese and Thai special forces will hold a joint anti-terrorism training exercise from July 9 to 31 in northern Thailand's Chiang Mai Province, a spokesman for China's Defense Ministry said in a statement in Beijing on Tuesday.

Code named "Strike-2008", the exercise aims to deepen understanding, cement cooperation in non-traditional security areas, and safeguard regional peace and stability, the statement said.

Divided into four stages, the exercise will cover combat techniques, tactics and comprehensive drills.

The two armed forces will send delegations to observe the training and attend the opening and closing ceremonies, according to the statement.

Last July, the two countries held their first joint training in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, which was the first joint military training China held with other countries.

China's armed forces have stepped up cooperation with their foreign counterparts in recent years and have staged 25 joint drills and two combined training exercises with 21 countries.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2008)