Chinese troops to participate in military drills alongside US forces in Brazil

While both US and Chinese forces will be present, Pentagon clarifies two countries will not be training together.

Chinese troops are set to take part in Brazil’s annual "Operation Formosa" military exercises this week, marking their first participation in the drills alongside US forces, the Brazilian Navy announced on Tuesday.

Brazil's navy announced that for the first time, US and Chinese troops are taking part in a joint military exercise led by the Brazilian Armed Forces.

Operation Formosa, one of Latin America’s largest military exercises, has been held since 1988. The operation takes place near the city of Formosa, Brazil, and is unrelated to Taiwan, which officially went by the same name in 1895.

While both US and Chinese forces will be present, Pentagon spokesperson Major Pete Nguyen clarified that the two countries will not be training together.

The Brazilian military will deploy 3,000 troops for the three-day exercises, which will include aircraft, tanks, artillery, and live ammunition.

Observers from eight countries, including Argentina, France, and South Africa, will also attend. The drills, starting Wednesday, are aimed at enhancing Brazil's regional security capabilities