Chinese troops join Belarus for drills near Polish border, raising tensions
7 July 2024 09:32
Chinese soldiers have arrived in Belarus to participate in anti-terrorism exercises with the local army. Minsk claims this is part of building a "military allied bloc" to respond to NATO's alleged aggressive actions. The manoeuvres are being organized right next to the Polish border.
The exercises, which involve soldiers from China and Belarus, will last from 7 July to 18 July and are taking place right next to the Polish border.
According to a Belarusian Ministry of Defence statement, these joint manoeuvres present "an opportunity to exchange experiences and coordinate military units".
Information provided by Russian and Belarusian media or government representatives is often propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war the Russian Federation and Belarus waged.
The Chinese army right next to the Polish border
"The joint training aims to facilitate the exchange of experience, coordinate Belarusian and Chinese units, and lay the foundation for further development of Belarusian-Chinese relations in the field of joint military training," reads the Belarusian Ministry of Defence.
The manoeuvres are to take place in the Brest region, bordering Poland. Chinese units will be accommodated in temporary bases, likely located several tens of miles from the border with Poland.
According to analysts, Chinese aircraft have already landed at the military airport in Baranovichi, in the Brest region.
The Belarusian Ministry of Defence on the NATO threat
According to Belarusian government media, the exercises involving soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army are another element of "building a military allied bloc." Minsk's narrative claims this is a response to NATO's alleged potential aggressive actions.
Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces, Vladimir Kupreyanov, said that the North Atlantic Alliance "is constantly increasing its presence" on the western side of the border. According to Minsk's propaganda, this should be regarded as an increasing threat of an armed conflict, hence the need to prepare for various scenarios.
