The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy dispatched a Marine Corps detachment to take part in the Operation Formosa 2024 multilateral exercise following an invitation from the Brazilian military. It was the first time for Chinese marines to visit South America.

The annual exercise, which took place in mid-September near the city of Formosa in Brazil, also included contingents from the United States, France, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo and South Africa. However, due to tensions between China and the United States in recent years, and the United States regarding South America as its "backyard," the debut of Chinese troops in the region has attracted the attention of the international community and even aroused some unnecessary speculation regarding whether China will seek a military presence in South America and whether it will challenge the United States there.

This year's Operation Formosa was the first time Chinese and U.S. troops have participated in the same joint military exercise hosted by Brazil. The operation, which focused on joint landing and anti-landing combat exercises, aimed to strengthen friendship and collaboration among the participating countries as well as to bolster their collective capacity to tackle security risks and challenges.

China's military has always been committed to maintaining peace, not only its own peace, but also global peace. Accordingly, the Chinese armed forces participate in UN peacekeeping operations as well as military exercises and cooperation with other countries. The Chinese and U.S. militaries have held multiple bilateral and multilateral joint exercises. For instance, they conducted a joint naval search-and-rescue exercise near Hawaii in 2013. In 2014, the PLA Navy took part in the RIMPAC international exercise hosted by the United States.

Prior to Operation Formosa 2024, China held military exercises with Viet Nam, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Belarus and Russia this year. China is committed to opening up not only in economic and social sectors, but also in the military sphere. This trip to Brazil was part of the Chinese military's international engagement program, which aims to deepen friendship and cooperation between the militaries of China and other countries.

China's participation in the Brazilian military exercise was based on the long-term friendly relations and strategic cooperation between the two countries. This year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil. In recent years, the two countries have engaged in frequent high-level exchanges, made great progress in economic and trade relations and enhanced exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology. At the same time, bilateral military cooperation has been increasingly deepened, and the Chinese Marine Corps' participation in this year's Operation Formosa was an example of the further deepening of this cooperation. This mutual trust between China and Brazil is particularly valuable in today's volatile international situation.

From an international perspective, China's participation in the exercise contributed to the development of a more effective joint response to security risks. Through coordinated exercises with other participating militaries, the Chinese military had an opportunity to introduce its technologies and command system to its international counterparts, thereby building mutual confidence.

Chinese troops' participation in the military exercise in Brazil was an important step in the PLA's international engagement and joint development with other militaries. Through exchanges and cooperation such as this one, the Chinese armed forces will make greater contributions to global peace and development.

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson

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