Hong Kong’s PLA garrison to take part in joint China-Laos military exercise
- The city’s contingent will make up the bulk of the PLA force in its latest overseas training exercise
The People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong will take part in joint military drills between China and Laos this week, the fourth time it has taken part in an international exercise.
The drills held, called Friendship Shield 2024, will begin in Laos on Friday and run until July 18.
China’s defence ministry said the Hong Kong garrison would contribute the bulk of the PLA contingent adding that the exercise will help deepen trust and cooperation between the two militaries and “inject positive energy into regional peace and stability”.
The PLA garrison in Macau and a logistics department based in the southwestern region of Guangxi will also contribute troops.
It is the two countries’ second joint exercise following a drill in May last year in Laos involving the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command.
This month’s drill will involve more than 1,200 troops including more than 300 from China, according to state news agency Xinhua. All Chinese personnel had arrived in Laos by Tuesday to prepare for the exercise.
The two countries pledged to work more closely together on defence, including joint exercises and training, during a visit to Beijing by Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith in December 2022.
