China and Russia are to hold their annual joint naval exercises this month and conduct patrols in unspecified areas of the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said yesterday.
Moscow and Beijing share close economic and diplomatic ties, with their relations strengthened by shared opposition to a global order dominated by Washington.
The Chinese and Russian militaries have held regular joint exercises over the past few years, a partnership that Western and some other governments view with suspicion as Moscow’s war on Ukraine grinds on.
Photo: Reuters
The naval forces of the two countries would take part in the “Joint Sea-2026” exercise in “waters and airspace” off Qingdao, a major military port and seaside resort in China’s east, the Chinese ministry said in a statement.
“Following the exercise, some forces from both sides will conduct a joint maritime patrol in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean,” it said. “This arrangement is … aimed at jointly responding to security challenges and safeguarding regional peace and stability.”
The statement did not provide details about the scale of the mobilization.
The drills come about two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China.
Putin said at the time relations had reached an “unprecedentedly high level,” while Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) hailed an “unyielding” partnership.
Beijing and Moscow have held their “Joint Sea” exercises since 2012, with last year’s edition near the eastern Russian port of Vladivostok also followed by joint patrols in the Pacific Ocean.