The Chinese and Russian navies began joint drills on Sunday at a military port in southern China, state news agency Xinhua reported. Just days after the NATO member state called Beijing a “decisive supporter” of the war in Ukraine.
BEIJING — The Chinese and Russian navies began joint drills at a military port in southern China on Sunday, state news agency Xinhua reported, days after the NATO allies called Beijing a “decisive backer” of the war in Ukraine.
In a brief statement, China’s Defense Ministry said troops from the two countries had recently patrolled the western and northern Pacific Ocean but that the operation had no connection to international or regional situations and did not target third parties.
The exercises, which began in Guangdong province on Sunday and are scheduled to continue until mid-July, are aimed at demonstrating the navy’s ability to deal with global and regional security threats and maintain peace and stability, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday, adding that they will include missile defense drills, maritime attack and air defense training.
The Chinese and Russian navies conducted a map-based military simulation and tactical coordination exercise after the opening ceremony in the city of Zhanjiang, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
The joint exercise comes on the heels of increased tensions between China and its NATO allies last week.
The tough-worded final statement approved by 32 nations at the NATO summit in Washington made clear that China was becoming a focal point for the military alliance, calling Beijing a “decisive backer” of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Member states in Europe and North America and partners in the Indo-Pacific region are increasingly aware of shared security concerns posed by Russia and its Asian backers, particularly China.
China responded by accusing NATO of seeking its security at the expense of others and urged it not to bring the same “chaos” to Asia. China’s foreign ministry said China takes a fair and objective stance on the war in Ukraine.
A U.S. Coast Guard vessel on a routine patrol in the Bering Sea last week also encountered several Chinese warships in international waters but within the U.S. exclusive economic zone, U.S. officials said. The vessel’s crew spotted three vessels about 124 miles (200 kilometers) north of Amchitka Strait in the Aleutian Islands, which marks the boundary and juncture between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea.
A fourth boat was later spotted about 84 miles (135 km) north of Amukta Pass.
The United States maintained that the Chinese naval vessels were operating within international rules and norms.
