As China boosts ties with Russia, Belarus, Europe ponders possible rising threat

European Union may reconsider its relationship with the world’s second-largest market because of Beijing’s support for Moscow

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Chinese soldiers arrive in Belarus to take part in a joint anti-terrorist training exercise in July. Photo: Belarusian Defence Ministry

Published: 2:15pm, 15 Jul 2024Updated: 3:36pm, 15 Jul 2024

A brisk stroll from the eastern front of the European Union, a company of People’s Liberation Army soldiers in full combat gear brandished assault rifles and held aloft the five-star flag of China – in Belarus.

A few metres behind them, a row of tanks sat in formation. To their left, a larger gathering of Belarusian soldiers proudly waved their red and green flag in the air.

The armies were taking part in an 11-day joint training exercise in the city of Brest, just 5km (3 miles) from the Polish border. As part of their “Eagle Assault” anti-terrorist programme, Belarusian and Chinese forces will, at times, work as a single unit, Minsk has said.

“We are pushing China to put pressure on Belarus, but apparently they didn’t understand our request and sent the PLA to Minsk instead,” said a Polish official.

He was referring to the “hybrid warfare” dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko has ordered against its Western neighbour. The documented and ongoing incidents – such as forcing migrants from Iraq into Belarus over the Polish border – have fuelled a crisis between the two countries.

While the exercises with the PLA pose no immediate threat to Poland or any other country, the symbolism is clear: China is bolstering military ties with Europe’s enemies, and is increasingly seen as a security threat across the continent.

Belarus, Russia’s closest ally in its invasion of Ukraine, also maintains close ties with Beijing, having been recently welcomed into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.