China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will participate in joint military exercises in Brazil, an unusual move for Chinese forces in the Western Hemisphere. A detachment of the PLA Marine Corps has been invited by the Brazilian military to join Exercise Formosa 2024, China’s Defense Ministry said Thursday (5).
The drills will focus on joint landings and counter-invasion operations, aiming to “deepen friendship and cooperation between the Chinese military and other participants, as well as enhance the capability to address security risks,” the ministry said on its website.
According to the South China Morning Post, the country has not yet specified the dates for the exercise. Exercise Formosa, held annually by the Brazilian Marine Corps, was attended last year by countries including the United States, Germany, France and South Africa. The U.S. Marine Corps has been a frequent participant, but it is not yet clear which countries will take part this year.
In recent years, China has hosted military medicine forums and seminars for senior military officials in Latin America, but direct participation by Chinese military personnel in the region is still rare.
This year, relations between China and Brazil have strengthened. In July, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that Brazil intends to join the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s flagship infrastructure and investment project.
Also in July, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with Brazilian Army Commander Tomás Ribeiro Paiva in Beijing. During the meeting, Dong stated that the two armies should “strengthen exchanges and learn from each other” to improve their capabilities and take military relations to a new level.
Brazil also participated in Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac), a multinational military exercise led by the United States, which took place from June 27 to August 1.
China’s recent military exercises have focused mainly on the South China Sea, where the country faces territorial disputes with other nations.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/09/06/china-enviara-fuzileiros-navais-ao-brasil-para-exercicio-militar/
