BEIJING (Xinhua) – A Chinese navy fleet left on Sunday for the Sea of Japan to join Russia’s naval and air forces in a drill aimed at “safeguarding the security of strategic maritime lines,” according to China’s defence ministry
The manoeuvres, dubbed “Northern/Interaction-2023,” are evidence of greater military collaboration between China and Russia since Russia’s invasion on Ukraine began.
They are taking place while Beijing continues to refuse US efforts to reopen military contacts.
The Chinese fleet, comprised of five warships and four helicopters, departed from the eastern port of Qingdao and will meet with Russian forces in a “predetermined area,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on its official WeChat account on Sunday.
China’s defence ministry stated on Saturday that Russia’s naval and air forces would take part in a practise in the Sea of Japan.
According to military experts cited by China’s state-run Global Times newspaper, this will be the first time Russian navy and air troops participate in the drill at the same time.
Two of the Russian ships participating in the exercises in the Sea of Japan, the Gromkiy and the Sovershenniy, had participated earlier this month in another exercise with the Chinese navy in Shanghai, focusing on formation movement, communications, and search and rescue operations.
The ships cruised by Taiwan and Japan before docking at the port of Shanghai, causing Taipei and Tokyo to closely monitor the activities of these Russian vessels.
Days before Russia launched a war on Ukraine in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping established a “borderless” relationship aimed at opposing US dominance.
Military cooperation is one of the most crucial aspects of this collaboration.
When Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu visited with Russian Navy Commander Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov earlier this month in Beijing, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military ties.
In June, Chinese Chief of Staff Liu Zhenli and Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov reaffirmed their commitment.