The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on Sunday that the military forces of China and Belarus will conduct joint exercises named Eagle Assault-2024 near Brest, Belarus, close to the Polish border. These exercises, set to run until mid-July, are part of an annual plan and an agreement between the two nations.
Participants from both sides will engage in mixed training exercises and practical tasks such as hostage rescue and anti-terrorism operations. The goal is to enhance the training level of the soldiers involved and deepen the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries’ armies, according to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense reported that personnel from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China have arrived in Belarus to participate in the joint anti-terrorism exercises scheduled until July 19.
International affairs expert Radosław Pyffel commented on the situation, suggesting that while the exercises might be routine, they could potentially lead to various outcomes such as de-escalation or other unintended consequences beyond the immediate concerns of Poland, Belarus, and Russia.
“Chinese troops have never been so close to the Polish border in history,” noted a Chinese affairs expert, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this development. Even if these maneuvers are seen as a minor military move, they introduce new variables that will likely need to be considered in future strategic calculations.
“Welcome to the new world,” Pyffel concluded, highlighting the evolving dynamics of international relations in the region.
