However, at this time, the Y-20 appeared at the door of NATO, and a team of PLA troops completed the assembly in Eastern Europe, signaling an unusual signal.
Against the backdrop of increasingly complex international landscapes and geopolitical tensions, the military cooperation between China and Belarus is particularly noteworthy.
Recently, according to the consensus of the two sides, the PLA and the Belarusian army will hold a joint anti-terrorist exercise called "Eagle Assault-2024" near Brest, Belarus in early to mid-July, which is undoubtedly an important manifestation of the deepening of military exchanges between the two countries.
On the same day, when the PLA arrived at the mission area, our commander was stuffed with two things, namely bread and salt.
In fact, it is a traditional Belarusian ritual used to welcome important, respectful and admired guests, because bread and salt are indispensable in a person's life, and the guests who are offered are also considered "indispensable".
In addition, the timing of this joint exercise is worth paying attention to. It follows Belarus' full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and demonstrates the role and significance of the SCO in promoting anti-terrorist cooperation among the member states.
The joint military exercises between Belarus and China within this framework not only demonstrate the close cooperation between the two sides in the field of security, but also demonstrate the importance of the SCO as a multilateral cooperation platform in international security affairs.
Second, military cooperation between China and Belarus is not an overnight decision, but is the result of long-term mutual trust and cooperation. The two sides have a long history of military exchanges, involving heavy equipment technology transfer, military cooperation and other fields, such as the transfer of heavy off-road chassis technology from Belarus to China, as well as mutual reference and support in national defense science and technology.
The rapid development of China's military industry, especially the independent innovation in the fields of optoelectronic technology and rocket artillery, has not only improved its own defense and attack capabilities, but also brought technological dividends to Belarus and other countries.
It is worth mentioning that the Y-20 transport plane dispatched by the PLA in this exercise landed directly at the Baranovichi military airport in Belarus, which is undoubtedly a symbol of the new high level of military trust between China and Belarus.
Baranovichi Airport is not only a strategic location in Belarus, but also an important strategic bomber base in the Soviet era, with profound historical and military value. The landing of the Chinese Y-20 here is not only a sign of warming military relations between the two countries, but also a sign of the willingness and ability of Belarus to cooperate deeply in ensuring security and stability in the region.
In addition to this, it is worth paying attention to the location of the exercises, the city of Brest is of unique strategic importance due to its geographical location, almost close to the Belarusian-Polish border.
NATO's military activity in Poland and the Baltic states has increased significantly since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has undoubtedly increased tensions with Belarus. The latest accusations by the Belarusian Defense Ministry that NATO has deployed more than 11,000 troops in the region have pushed military tensions in the region to a new level.
In addition, the tension on the border between Belarus and Ukraine is heating up, and the accumulation of Ukrainian troops and heavy equipment, as well as the frequent cross-border flights and shooting down of reconnaissance drones, have undoubtedly exacerbated the uncertainty of regional security.
Against this background, it is clear that the anti-terrorist exercises held by China and Belarus in Brest have multiple significance. First of all, the exercise is a symbol of the further deepening of military cooperation between the two sides, and it also demonstrates the determination of the two sides to jointly counter the threat of terrorism.
It should be noted that in recent years, the opposition in Belarus has received support from external armed forces and has tried to infiltrate back into the country to carry out sabotage activities, which poses a direct threat to the national security of Belarus.
Under such circumstances, enhancing the coordinated combat capability of the two militaries through joint counter-terrorism exercises is undoubtedly of great significance for safeguarding national security, especially in combating transnational terrorist activities.
Further, the military exercises between China and Belarus are also an opportunity for the two sides to demonstrate military mutual trust and cooperation in the international arena. Although misread and distorted by some Ukrainian media outlets, the exercise was seen as support for or participation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but in reality, the exercise focused on counter-terrorism and stayed away from any form of regional conflict.
The Ministry of Defense of Belarus made it clear that the exercises were aimed at facilitating the exchange of experience, harmonizing differences in military operations, and laying the groundwork for future joint training and exercises, demonstrating that the exercises had nothing to do with regional military conflicts.
Overall, the joint anti-terrorist exercises between China and Belarus reflect the deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense, as well as their determination to jointly maintain regional stability and international peace. Despite misunderstandings and challenges, the two sides demonstrated their firm will to address common threats and strengthen military exchanges and cooperation through the exercise.