China and Russia began joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a U.S.-led global order.
Alongside economic and political ties, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years, and their relations have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The “Joint Sea-2025” exercises kicked off in waters near the Russian port of Vladivostok and would last for three days, China’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The two sides will hold “submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defense and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat.”
Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating in the exercises alongside Russian ships, the ministry said.
After the drills, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in “relevant waters of the Pacific.”
China and Russia have carried out annual drills for several years, with the “Joint Sea” exercises beginning in 2012.
Last year’s drills were held along China’s southern coast.
The Chinese Defense Ministry said Friday that this year’s exercises were aimed at “further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership” of the two countries.
China has never denounced Russia’s more than three-year war nor called for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraine’s allies, including the United States, believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow.
China insists it is a neutral party, regularly calling for an end to the fighting while also accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by arming Ukraine.
Chinese and Russian naval officers at a ceremony marking the start of the drills on 31 JulyReuters/Russian defence ministry
Russia and China, which signed a “no-limits” strategic partnership shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries.
The drills come after US President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in “the appropriate regions” in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.
However, as we reported yesterday, experts have played down the move, saying the subs would have already been in the relevant areas anyway. Others condemned Trump’s “irresponsible” posturing.
Written with reports from Moscow Times, TASS
