China-Russia Joint Military Exercise with 10,000 Troops Participating in China Next Month
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] China and Russia will conduct large-scale joint military exercises next month in China involving more than 10,000 troops and advanced combat equipment, strengthening strategic cooperation against the United States.
According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense website on the 30th, China and Russia have agreed to hold the "Western Joint-2021 Exercise" at the Qingtongxia joint tactical training base in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, in early to mid-August.
During the exercise, the two countries' militaries plan to establish a joint command headquarters. The combined forces, totaling more than 10,000 troops, will deploy various military aircraft, artillery, and armored vehicles to test joint reconnaissance and early warning capabilities, electronic information attacks, and joint strike abilities, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense stated.
The troops will mainly consist of the People's Liberation Army Western Theater Command from China and the Eastern Military District forces from Russia. The defense ministers of both countries agreed on the 28th to jointly observe the exercise.
The state-run Global Times reported that this will be the first joint exercise with foreign troops held in China since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
China has participated in exercises held in Russia from 2018 until last year, but this is reportedly the first time China has invited foreign troops to hold a "strategic exercise" on Chinese soil. It is also the first time Russian troops will be brought to the Qingtongxia base.
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The Russian Ministry of Defense also announced the joint exercise plan with China on its own website on the 30th. The ministry stated that units from the Eastern Military District will participate, including mechanized infantry units stationed in Zabaykalsky Krai in Eastern Siberia, special mission units, and fighter jets from a tactical aviation regiment.
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