China Holds Joint 2022 International Military Exercises Co-Hosted By 12 Countries

37 countries in total are participating in the joint international military exercises, including China, Russia, Iran, India, Belarus, Tajikistan, Cuba, Myanmar, and Venezuela. Photo: Chinese Military | Yu Ziheng

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
August 18, 2022 12:00 am UTC
Modified: August 18, 2022 12:00 am

INTERNATIONAL - The Chinese Ministry of Defense has reported that their military is carrying out joint military exercises that are co-hosted by 12 countries, with 37 countries in total participating, including China, Russia, Iran, India, Belarus, Tajikistan, Cuba, Myanmar, and even Venezuela who will be hosting sniper exercises with the countries.

Russia’s joint 2022 International Military Exercises started Monday, August 15th, and are being held in Iran and Venezuela, which is hosting "Sniper Frontiers".

Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino Lopez said that "The goal, the spirit of these games is to unite cultures and peoples more" than demonstrating military skill, and said that a delegation of 200 Venezuelan soldiers have been shipped to Russia to participate in the games.

China's Ministry of Defense said that its participation in the games is "unrelated to the current international and regional situation," and are a part of a bilateral agreement of cooperation with Russia.

The statement by the Chinese MOD said, "The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats".

At the same time, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe delivered a speech on August 16 at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security via video call addressing China's desire to work with the "militaries of various countries" to practice the "Global Security Initiative" after he had addressed U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to the island of Taiwan.

China's Ministry of Defense put out the following statement on August 16th: "Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe delivered a speech on August 16 at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security via video link upon invitation.

Gen. Wei said that as the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, the right choice is to join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Countries in the world must strengthen solidarity and coordination, uphold fairness and justice, safeguard peace and stability, join hands to reject act of hegemony, highhandedness, and bullying, and work together to safeguard regional and global peace and tranquility.

Amid the profound changes in the global situation and rampaging COVID-19 pandemic, China has been courageous to shoulder the mission of a responsible major country and made great efforts to add stability and inject positive energy to the cause of peace and development of mankind, Wei said.

Wei stated that China loves and defends peace, and at the same time unswervingly safeguards its core national interests, there is absolutely no good end to "Taiwan independence" separatist schemes, and interference by external forces will never succeed. The Chinese defense chief stressed that China firmly opposes, condemns, and takes resolute countermeasures to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to China's Taiwan region in early August. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has never been afraid of any enemy, and we have the confidence and courage to defeat all incoming enemies and also surely have the resolve, the will, and the capability to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Wei said.

Wei added that the Chinese military is ready to work with the militaries of various countries to practice the Global Security Initiative, deepen defense and security cooperation, promote the settlement of hotspot issues, build a security pattern featuring fairness and justice contributed and shared jointly by nations, and build a solid and firm security barrier."

The conference is hosted by the Russian Defense Ministry and convenes from August 16 to 17 in Moscow. On August 15th Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Qu Qian also remarked on the more recent US Senator's visit to Taiwan. The Chinese MOD released the following on that visit:

"BEIJING, Aug. 15 -- Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, made remarks Monday on United States Senator Ed Markey's visit to Taiwan. The following is the full text of the remarks:

On August 14, US Senator Ed Markey and his entourage visited China's Taiwan region, which brazenly violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiqués, infringed China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sent erroneous signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, fully revealed that the US is the true spoiler and saboteur of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. In response, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has organized joint combat-readiness security patrol and combat drills involving troops of multiple services and arms in the waters and airspace around the Taiwan Island, which represents the strong hit back and solemn deterrent against the collusion and provocations of the US and the Taiwan authorities.

Taiwan is part of China, and Taiwan question does not brook any external interference. We sternly warn the US side and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that to contain China with Taiwan is doomed to fail, and to solicit the US for independence is bound to bring self-destruction. Any scheme and behavior of going against the historical trend, breaching the commitment of all Chinese people, and obstructing China’s process of national reunification will certainly end in failure. The Chinese PLA continues the military training for war-preparedness to firmly safeguard China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and resolutely smash any form of the "Taiwan independence" separatist schemes and interference attempts by external forces."

The Chinese Ministry of Defense also put out the following statement regarding the joint international military exercises on August 16th: "MOSCOW, Aug.16 -- On August 15, local time, the opening ceremony of the International Army Games 2022 (IAG-2022) was held in Patriot Park on the outskirts of Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

At about 3 pm, representatives of participating teams from various countries entered the stadium in succession. The IAG 2022 is co-hosted by 12 countries including Russia, China, and Iran with the participation of a total of more than 270 teams from the militaries of 37 countries (regions). It will conclude on August 27.

The Chinese military has sent teams to Russia to participate in the Tank Biathlon, the Elbrus Ring, and the Masters of Armored Vehicles contests. The Tank Biathlon and Masters of Armored Vehicles contests kicked off on August 13.

After nine-year development, the IAG, initiated by the Russian Ministry of Defense, has become an open platform for international military exchanges and cooperation."