Chinese PLA honor guard joins Minsk parade marking 80th anniversary of victory in Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War

MINSK, May 10 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) honor guard participated in a military parade held Friday in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.

The parade featured soldiers from the Belarusian Army, Air Force, and Special Forces, as well as personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Investigative Committee, military academies and foreign military contingents.

The Chinese PLA honor guard detachment comprised 54 members, including one flag bearer, two flag escorts, three squad leaders, and 48 soldiers. As they marched past the grandstand in a powerful and precise goose step, the crowd spontaneously stood and responded with enthusiastic applause.

China and Belarus enjoy an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. The PLA honor guard has taken part in Belarusian military parades in 2018, 2019 and 2024 at the invitation of the Belarusian side.