The Chinese military on Saturday noon arrived in Indonesia via two Y-20 transport aircraft to attend a joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise from late November to early December.
According to the consensus between the two militaries, troops from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command will participate in the Peace Garuda-2024 joint HADR exercise, the first of its kind between the two sides.
During the event, army, naval and air force elements from the two sides will conduct drills on search and detection, medical treatment, personnel evacuation and settlement, nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection, and parachute delivery. They will also carry out cultural and sports activities.
This is the first time for Chinese and Indonesian armed forces to hold such an exercise. It is beneficial for deepening practical cooperation between the two militaries, enhancing the joint operational capabilities of the forces, and is of positive significance for maintaining regional peace and stability.
The Chinese participating troops are organized and commanded by the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army. They have conducted targeted training for the participating officers and soldiers in their respective camps prior to the exercise, focusing on improving skills, coordination, and command in the joint exercise scenarios, to ensure the exercise achieves its predetermined outcomes.
Chinese military arrives Indonesia for joint disaster relief exercise
China's steady economic growth is vital to global development and the path of China's development will help shape the future of the world, foreign experts said.
The official data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew five percent year on year to reach 134.9084 trillion yuan in 2024, meeting the annual target of around five percent.
"The speed of growth in China is remarkable, innovative spirit, connecting countryside to the city side, high-levelly opening up, new quality productive forces. You've seen China focusing in technology, and where will the world be focusing in the next five to ten years? Technology will solve many problems," said Jack Perry, chairman of 48 Group Club.
"China reached an economic growth of 5 percent, which is impressive, especially compared with the European countries, because many of them hope to see the growth like this. For China, we are a reliable partner. We not only provide the world with products, but also advanced technologies and we are also expanding our market in China. The Chinese government has been encouraging bilateral trade, which is very important to Europe. I think, the path of China's development will help shape the future. We will make changes to the global economy, involve the Global South, and promote the prosperity of the humanity," said Bernd Einmeier, chairman of the German-Chinese Society for Economy, Education and Culture.
"It's been proven that when the Chinese economy is thriving, most African economies also thriving. We can look at the aspect of various economic and infrastructure developments that have taken place in the past," said Esther Banda, a Zambian economist.
"Africa will remain important to China, and I think South Africa must keep the channels between South Africa and China open because that (China) is an economy that will continue to grow very, very strongly. And it's very important for South Africa and for the world economy," said Dawid Roodt, a South African economist.
China's steady economic growth vital to global development: foreign experts
China's steady economic growth vital to global development: foreign experts
