China and Russia Launch Joint “Joint Sea” Missile Destroyer Drill
According to the English service of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Al Jazeera, China and russia have commenced joint naval drills in the East China Sea (Sea of Japan). The exercises aim to bolster cooperation between the two nations and serve as a strategic balance against the US-led international order.
Moscow and Beijing have expanded their military collaboration alongside growing economic and political ties over recent years. These relations have deepened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced that the “Joint Sea-2025” exercises began in waters near the Russian port city of Vladivostok. The drills will last for three days.
According to China’s defense ministry, both sides will conduct “joint rescue operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, missile interception, and naval combat” during these exercises.
The exercise involves four Chinese vessels including missile-equipped destroyers shaoxing and Urumqi along with several Russian warships.After completing these maneuvers, both countries will carry out maritime patrols in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean.
china and Russia have held these annual joint naval drills for several years. The first Joint Sea exercise took place in 2012. Last year’s drill occurred along China’s southern coastline.
On Friday, China’s Ministry of Defense stated that this year’s exercises aim to deepen extensive strategic cooperation between Beijing and Moscow further.
China has consistently denied Western allegations that it provides military support to Russia in its war against Ukraine. It has called for an end to hostilities between Moscow and Kyiv while accusing Western countries of prolonging the conflict by supplying weapons to Ukraine.
