On July 1, the participating equipment is delivered to the assembly area at Phonhong Railway Station, Laos. (Photo by Meng Chuiyun/Xinhua )
VIENTIANE, July 5 -- At around 4:00 a.m. on July 2, local time, all the Chinese troops participating in the China-Laos Friendship Shield-2024 joint exercise arrived at Phonhong Railway Station, Laos.
The Chinese troops were projected in two batches. The air troops arrived at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos on June 30, and the army troops adopted railway cross-border transportation. After arriving, the army troops immediately unloaded the equipment and moved to the exercise area by motorized maneuver to join the Lao troops there.
According to the consensus between China and Laos, the Friendship Shield-2024 joint military exercise will be held in Laos from July 5 to 18. Under the theme of "joint defense operations", the participating troops will conduct mixed group training, comprehensive drills, cultural exchanges and other activities.
It is learnt that the two sides sent more than 1,200 troops, including over 300 troops from China, which were mainly from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison. The PLA Macao Garrison, Guilin Joint Logistic Support Center and other units also sent troops for this exercise.
On June 30, the participating air troops arrive at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo by Meng Chuiyun/Xinhua)