Russia-China naval exercises in the Pacific
Russia and China are conducting joint naval exercises in the Pacific, including life-saving and anti-aircraft drills, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Friday.
Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military relations over the past decade. This cooperation has not ceased since Russia's military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022.
A video released by the Russian news agency Tass shows nine large ships sailing in formation, with crew members standing at attention on deck.
"Members of the navies of both countries conducted anti-submarine exercises, repelled an air attack by a fictitious enemy, carried out sea rescue drills and perfected helicopter take-off and landing techniques on the decks of warships," according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
"A detachment of ships from the Russian navy and the (Chinese) People's Liberation Army navy is currently operating in the waters of the East China Sea," it said.
This sea area stretches between the Korean peninsula, Japan, the island of Taiwan and mainland China.
A Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman, Wu Qian, said on Monday that the two countries had recently conducted manoeuvres in "western and northern Pacific Ocean waters".
"This operation is not directed against third parties and has no relation to the current international and regional situation," he stressed.
Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu was in Russia this week to participate in the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security, organised by the Russian Defence Ministry.
Russia and China have been conducting joint military exercises for several years.
In June, the two countries conducted a joint air patrol over the Japanese and East China Seas, prompting South Korea to deploy fighter jets as a precautionary measure.
Moscow and Beijing share a common desire to counter what they see as US hegemony.
China has called for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, but has never explicitly and publicly condemned the Russian operation in neighbouring Ukraine. At the same time, it seeks to play a mediating role in the conflict.
