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In rare shift, China will send marine corps to Brazil for joint military exercise

Invitation to drill comes as China and Brazil enjoy improved relations in recent years, including Brasilia’s intent to join belt and road

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China’s PLA Marine Corps will travel to Brazil to take part in Exercise Formosa, an annual military drill. Photo: Getty Images
Yuanyue Dangin Beijing
The People’s Liberation Army will take part in joint military exercises in Brazil, a rare step for the Chinese military in the western hemisphere.
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A detachment of the PLA Marine Corps will travel to take part in Exercise Formosa 2024 at the invitation of the Brazilian military, the Chinese defence ministry said on Thursday.

The exercises, with a focus on joint landing and anti-landing combat drills, would “deepen friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and participating militaries and enhance their ability to jointly respond to security risk challenges”, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

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China’s defence ministry did not specify when the exercise would take place.

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Exercise Formosa is an annual exercise hosted by the Brazilian Marine Corps that last year also included the United States, Germany, France and South Africa. The US Marine Corps has been a regular participant in previous drills. It is not clear which countries will take part in the exercise this year.

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