Security cooperation between Poland and the United States is increasingly taking on the character of an exchange of interests, as Poland is actively promoting further strengthening of U.S. military presence in the East European country, according to a Polish scholar.
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Stanislaw Wziatek said last week that Poland was seeking to host about 15,000 U.S. troops on its territory. His remarks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced "major progress" toward establishing a permanent U.S. military base in the country.
Amid the Trump administration's demands that NATO allies shoulder a greater share of defense burdens, Poland has substantially boosted its defense investment in recent years, with defense spending now approaching 5 percent of its GDP. Poland has also purchased advanced weaponry, including U.S. equipment.
According to an IMF report released in April this year, Poland's defense spending as a proportion of the GDP is the highest among all NATO members.
Wojciech Nowiak, a professor with the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland, said he believes that the push reflects a broader shift in Washington's approach to NATO.
"The U.S. policy toward NATO is placing greater emphasis on balancing interests and responsibilities. The United States is asking NATO allies to further increase their defense spending. At the same time, it also hopes these countries will purchase more U.S. military technology and equipment," Nowiak said.
Situated on NATO's eastern flank, Poland serves as a key node in the U.S. military deployment in Europe.
With the Russia-Ukraine conflict dragging on, security on NATO's eastern flank has attracted growing attention.
"From the U.S. perspective, if NATO were to retain a credible deterrent, the eastern-flank states facing security pressure must be strong enough. Because, in my view, the United States has no desire to be drawn into any war in Europe," he said.
U.S.-Poland security cooperation shows signs of interest exchange: scholar
China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Lotus Square on Thursday morning to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
At 08:00, a flag-bearing contingent composed of members of the Police Tactical Intervention Unit, a subordinate of the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau of Macao, escorted the national flag and the Macao SAR flag into the square in a Chinese-style marching step.
This marks the first time members of the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau have participated in a flag-raising ceremony using Chinese-style drill formations. To match the style, the contingent members wore brand-new uniforms and were equipped with brand-new gear.
Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai attended the ceremony, along with heads of central government agencies in Macao and representatives of people from all walks of life in the region.
Young representatives from Macao who had previously traveled to Beijing to participate in the "Salute to the National Flag" event also attended the ceremony.
"As a youth from Macao, I feel particularly honored and proud to be able to participate in this flag-raising ceremony. After watching the ceremony, I feel extremely moved and excited," said Tai U Fei, a student from the Macao SAR.
"This is the first time this year to witness the change from the Portuguese-style to the Chinese-style drill formations. I had seen their training before, and this time I was able to witness this historic moment with my own eyes at the Golden Lotus Square. I feel very honored. We had just returned from our visit to Beijing, where we also watched the same flag-raising ceremony from the viewing stand at Tian'anmen Square. When those familiar steps came to our land in Macao, I felt a strong sense of familiarity and honor. My feelings today are as warm as the sunshine," said another young student named Che Hang Kok.
Following the flag-raising ceremony, the Macao SAR government held a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Sam said the motherland's vigorous development and constant progress have always been the strongest support and warmest haven for the Macao SAR.
Looking ahead, Macao will demonstrate greater resolve and adopt a more forward-looking approach to push the SAR to make greater contribution to the great cause of building China into a powerful country and realizing national rejuvenation, he said, adding that the SAR will write a new chapter in the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics.
Flag-raising ceremony held in Macao to mark 77th founding anniversary of PRC
