Chinese soldiers land in Belarus for military maneuvers
Chinese soldiers have arrived at an joint anti-terror exercise in Belarus (formerly White Russia), according to official statements. The drill is set to take place from July 8 to 19, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced on its Telegram channel. "This joint training helps to exchange experiences, improve cooperation between Belarusian and Chinese units, and lay the foundation for further development of Belarus-China relations in the field of joint military training."
Initially, there were no details about the planned exercises. The exact number of participating Chinese soldiers is unknown. Photos released by the Belarusian Defense Ministry in Minsk show a Chinese transport aircraft capable of carrying a three-digit number of soldiers.
The already tense relations between Belarus and the West, especially towards Ukraine, have deteriorated further. Several times, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has portrayed the West as a threat to his country. The closest ally of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has allowed Russia to station tactical nuclear weapons on its territory.
Recently, Belarus has strengthened its troops at the border with Ukraine and justified it with alleged provocations from the neighboring country. Kiev, in turn, feels threatened by Minsk. Russian troops had entered Ukraine from Belarusian territory during Russia's attack on Ukraine more than two years ago.
During the anti-terror exercises in Belarus, numerous Chinese soldiers were visible in the photos released by the Belarusian Defense Ministry. The joint military maneuvers between Belarus and China aim to enhance cooperation and establish a strong foundation for future collaborations in military training.
