China’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that it will send troops to Russia to conduct joint military exercises with other countries, including India and Belarus, at the end of August.
The ministry said in a statement that China’s participation in the joint exercises “has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation.”
The same source indicated that these exercises aim to deepen “practical cooperation” between countries, improve the level of “strategic cooperation” among participants, and enhance the ability to respond to various security threats.
The exercises called “Vostok 2022” (East 2022) will take place on Russian soil between August 30 and September 5.
Russia stated that soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army, Chinese armed forces, India, Belarus, Tajikistan and Mongolia, among other countries, will participate in the exercises, which will be held in thirteen locations.
The announcement comes two days after the Chinese military once again conducted military exercises around Taiwan. The maneuvers intensified after the visit of US Congress leader Nancy Pelosi to the island, which Beijing considered a farce and betrayal.
Beijing considers Taiwan its own province, although the island functions as a sovereign political entity. Therefore, Pelosi’s visit was considered by Beijing as a violation of China’s sovereignty.
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