Joint exercises will occur near the Chinese city of Qingdao
According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, following the practical portion of the exercises, some ships and aircraft from both nations will head to designated areas in the Pacific Ocean. There, the two sides plan to conduct joint maritime patrols.
The Chinese defense officials indicated that these activities are part of a planned annual cooperation program between the armed forces of China and Russia. They emphasized that the maneuvers are aimed at “joint responses to security challenges” and maintaining stability and peace in the region.
Exact dates for the commencement of the exercises and the number of forces involved have not been specified.
Bloomberg notes that the joint patrol in the Pacific represents an extension of the military-political collaboration between Moscow and Beijing amid global tensions. Previously, the countries have conducted similar maritime and aerial patrols, raising concerns among the United States and its Asian allies, particularly Japan and South Korea.
Context
- In May, Reuters reported, citing Western intelligence agencies, that by late 2025, China might secretly train approximately 200 Russian troops on its territory, covering areas such as drone combat, air defense, marksmanship training, and mine warfare. There are also reports of potential training of Chinese troops in Russia.
- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has stated that it views such media reports as attempts to place blame for the Russia-Ukraine war on China, urging restraint to avoid escalating the conflict.
