China and Indonesia are resuming joint army counter-terrorism drills for the first time in 14 years.

According to China's state-run English-language newspaper Global Times on October 27, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced the previous day that the Chinese and Indonesian militaries will conduct the "Sharp Knife 2026" joint counter-terrorism drill in Guangdong Province, southern China, from late this month to early next month.

The upcoming drill focuses on joint counter-terrorism rescue operations in mountainous regions, placing emphasis on mountain climbing, special vehicle operations, helicopter fast-roping infiltration, close-quarters combat, and manned-unmanned teaming operations.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense stated that this exercise will help deepen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and enhance their joint operation capabilities.

This marks the first time in 14 years, since 2012, that the two countries are holding the "Sharp Knife" series of special forces joint drills.

China and Indonesia held their first joint drill in Bandung, Indonesia, in June 2011, followed by a second drill in Jinan, Shandong Province, China, in July of the following year, but the exercises were suspended thereafter.

Although the reasons have never been officially disclosed, an Indonesian research institute has diagnosed that China's incursions into Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the Natuna Islands were behind the suspension of the drills in 2015.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the drill aims to allow both countries to comprehensively practice special operations procedures for rescuing hostages in mountainous and jungle regions.

He explained that the method involves drones conducting initial reconnaissance, ground troops moving using mountain climbing and special vehicles to seal off the target area, and hostages being rescued through aerial infiltration via helicopters and indoor close-quarters combat.

Song evaluated that "while it looks like a high-intensity special operation, it falls under non-traditional security cooperation," adding that "it complements the joint tactical operational capabilities of the two nations in complex mountain environments while strengthening security cooperation with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states."

He also added that it will help combat cross-border crimes such as telecommunication fraud and human trafficking.

"Cross-border telecom fraud, human trafficking, and the cross-border movement of illicit assets are key areas where China and Indonesia need to cooperate," he claimed. "China needs to work with Southeast Asian nations to counter telecom fraud, and Indonesia needs China's accumulated counter-terrorism experience."

The drill is also drawing attention as it comes amid the recent expansion of diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries.

Some analyses suggest that China is placing importance on cooperation with Indonesia to keep the Philippines in check in the South China Sea.

China and Indonesia have operated a "2+2" ministerial meeting format involving their foreign and defense ministers since last year, holding two such meetings through this year.

This is the first foreign ministerial "2+2" dialogue mechanism that China has established with another country.

(Photo: Getty Images)