China defence officials announced that Chinese naval vessels had set sail for joint manoeuvres with the Russian military. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, which was not criticised by China, relations between the two capitals have strengthened.
In recent months, the two have increased defensive interactions, including joint military training. The Chinese Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that the newest air and sea drills would be held in the Sea of Japan with the goal of “safeguarding strategic maritime routes.”
Without elaborating on when exactly these manoeuvres will take place, China’s navy announced on Sunday that it had dispatched five vessels, one of which was a guided-missile destroyer. ‘Safeguarding critical maritime pathways’ is the stated goal of the upcoming air and marine drills in the marine of Japan.
South Korea reacts to China and Russian patrols
South Korea has deployed fighter jets as a precaution after China and Russia conducted a coordinated air patrol over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea last month. This is the sixth joint patrol by China and Russia in the region since 2019. This month, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu pushed for greater naval collaboration with Russia. Since the Ukraine conflict began, Beijing has been Moscow’s most significant ally.
China maintains it is not taking sides in the war, but Ukraine’s supporters have pointed to Beijing’s unwillingness to denounce the invasion as evidence that it is siding with Russia. China and Russia are holding a joint military exercise under the codename “Northern/Interaction-2023” despite continued pressure from the United States to restore military communication.
The ministry announced on Saturday that Russian navy and aviation troops would take part in the exercise in the Sea of Japan. According to military analysts, this would be the first time that both Russian armies participated in the training.
In addition to their participation in the maritime of Japan drill, the Russian warships Gromkiy and Sovershenniy held their own training with the Chinese navy in Shanghai earlier this month, focusing on formation movements, communication, and maritime rescues.
The same ships had travelled via Taiwan and Japan on their way to the financial hub of Shanghai, leading Taiwan and Japan to keep a close eye on the Russian vessels.
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