Russia and China strengthen ties with joint naval exercises in the Pacific Ocean

As confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian and Chinese warships are engaged in cooperative exercises in the Pacific Ocean, focusing on rescue training and aerial defense strategies.

The naval units of both nations are active in the East China Sea waters.

“During this time, naval forces from both countries undertook anti-submarine drills, defended against simulated aerial threats, conducted maritime rescue training, and refined helicopter takeoff and landing procedures on warship decks,” the ministry stated.

Footage released by Russia’s TASS news agency showcased nine ships navigating in a diamond formation.

The drills also encompassed operations to “replenish fuel reserves from vessels and transfer cargo while in motion,” informed the ministry.

Since the onset of these exercises, the combined fleet has covered over 6,400 nautical miles.

While Moscow and Beijing have recently strengthened ties, Russia’s relationships with Western nations have been strained, notably due to the Ukraine conflict.

A China’s Defense Ministry representative clarified on Monday that naval fleets from both countries are jointly patrolling the northern and western parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Emphasizing the exercises’ neutral intent, they mentioned, “These operations are not targeted at any third party and do not pertain to the current global and regional situations.”

China’s Defense Minister, Li Shangfu, recently attended an international security conference in Moscow, advocating for deeper military collaboration.

The two nations have amplified their joint operations in recent months, including joint aerial patrols over the seas of Japan and East China in July.

Such maneuvers have raised concerns in the region, with South Korea deploying fighter jets in July as a precautionary measure.

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