- Chinese and Russian naval vessels conduct joint exercises
- Air and sea drills in the Sea of Japan aim to protect strategic maritime routes
- China and Russia strengthen military cooperation amidst Ukraine conflict
Chinese defense officials announced on Sunday that Chinese naval vessels departed this weekend for joint exercises with the Russian military.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine last year, which China did not condemn, ties between Moscow and Beijing have grown.
In recent months, the two have intensified defense contacts, including joint military exercises.
The Chinese Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that the latest air-and-sea drills will take place in the Sea of Japan with the goal of “protecting strategic maritime routes.”The Chinese military has dispatched five warships, including a guided-missile destroyer, according to a statement released on Sunday, though the date of the exercises was not specified.
Air and sea exercises will be conducted in the Sea of Japan to “protect strategic maritime routes.”
Last month, China and Russia conducted a joint air patrol above the Seas of Japan and East China, prompting South Korea to deploy fighter aircraft as a precaution. It was the sixth China-Russia patrol in the region since the beginning of 2019.
This month, China’s defense minister Li Shangfu advocated expanding naval cooperation with Russia. Since the Ukraine conflict began, Beijing has become Moscow’s most significant ally.
China asserts that it is neutral in the conflict, but its refusal to censure the invasion has prompted Ukraine’s allies to accuse it of favoring Russia.
The exercise, codenamed “Northern/Interaction-2023,” signifies an increase in China and Russia’s military cooperation and takes place as Beijing continues to reject US requests to resume military communication.
The ministry announced on Saturday that Russian naval and aviation forces will participate in the exercise in the Sea of Japan. This would be the first time that both Russian forces participate in the exercise, according to military observers quoted by the state-run newspaper Global Times.
Gromkiy and Sovershenniy, two Russian warships participating in the marine of Japan exercise, conducted separate formation movement, communication, and marine rescue training with the Chinese navy in Shanghai earlier this month.
Before docking at the financial center of Shanghai, the same ships had sailed past Taiwan and Japan, prompting both countries to monitor the Russian warships.
