China, Russia, South Africa to Conduct Naval Drills Off South African Coast
China will conduct joint naval and air exercises with Russia, South Africa, and other BRICS countries off the coast of South Africa in early to mid-January, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced Friday.
The ministry described the exercises as “joint operations to safeguard vital shipping lanes and economic activities.” The drills will include strikes on maritime targets and counter-terrorism rescue operations.
BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, later added South Africa and has recently expanded to include other developing countries such as Indonesia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The Chinese defense ministry did not specify exactly how many BRICS nations will participate in the upcoming exercises.
