China and Belarus Conduct Joint Military Exercises Near Poland Border, Raising Concerns Amid Rising Tensions in Eastern Europe
China and Belarus have recently announced joint military training exercises near the border of Poland, a member of both NATO and the European Union. The troops from China's People's Liberation Army arrived in Belarus over the weekend, with the drills scheduled to last for 11 days. The exercises include activities such as hostage rescue operations and counterterrorism missions, aimed at enhancing training levels and coordination capabilities between the two countries' armies. These drills, happening near the Belarus-Poland border, have sparked concerns and accusations from NATO and the EU, who have criticized Belarus for allegedly weaponizing its border by pushing asylum seekers. The timing of the exercises, just before NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington DC and during a visit by Ukraine's President to Poland, adds to the tensions. Belarus, being a significant ally of Russia, has played a role in the conflict in Ukraine, serving as a launching pad for Moscow's invasion. The joint military exercises also come shortly after Belarus joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security bloc led by China and Russia aimed at promoting border security and countering Western influence in the region.
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