Beijing & Moscow launch joint military drills amid NATO Summit

Beijing and Moscow have initiated a joint sea exercise in southern China, coinciding with the NATO summit in Washington. The exercise, which began on July 8, will extend to nearly Brest, a Belarusian city just five kilometers from Poland.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army is conducting anti-terrorism drills with Belarusian troops, marking the first military cooperation between China and Belarus, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This 11-day exercises, codenamed Eagle Assault 2024, underscores the growing defense relations between the two nations, indicating that Minsk, an ally of Moscow, is also becoming a friend to Beijing.

China has increased its focus on Belarus following its accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, aiming to deepen ties with European countries sharing similar stances. In a related development, the Belarusian defense ministry announced on Telegram that the joint drill with China is a response to the West's aggressive foreign policy towards Belarus.

NATO leaders have noted Belarus's close alliance with Russia since the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Reports indicate that Russia and China have conducted over 80 bilateral and multilateral drills in the past two decades, reflecting a significant strategic partnership.