China, Russia launch Maritime Interaction-2025 drills in Sea of Japan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Aug 2025 19:16

China and Russia have launched joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, showcasing advanced coordination in anti-submarine, missile defense, and maritime combat operations as part of a broader strategic effort to challenge US dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Listen

The Chinese and Russian naval vessel formation participating in the Joint Sea-2025 exercises set sail on Sunday morning for the waters near Vladivostok, Russia (X, @ChinaDaily)

China's Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday the launch of joint Maritime Interaction-2025, a series of large-scale naval exercises with Russia in the Sea of Japan, framed as a step to deepen their military cooperation and counter what both nations describe as "US hegemony."

According to the ministry's statement, the drills are being conducted near the Russian port city of Vladivostok and involve a range of joint operations, including submarine rescue missions, anti-submarine warfare, missile defense, and naval combat scenarios.

A total of four Chinese warships are participating, alongside Russian naval forces. Among them are the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Ürümqi, both key assets of the Chinese fleet. Diesel-electric submarines and a Chinese submarine rescue vessel are also reportedly involved. After the three-day exercises conclude, both sides are expected to carry out joint naval patrols in the Pacific Ocean, reinforcing their maritime presence in the broader region.

The Russian and Chinese navies have also conducted live-fire artillery drills and coordinated anti-submarine operations, according to military sources cited by Reuters.

🇷🇺🇨🇳 Chinese sailors receive a traditional Russian bread-and-salt welcome in Vladivostok ahead of joint ‘Maritime Interaction-2025’ drills

Warships now docked as Russia and China gear up for live-fire, rescue, and defense ops in the Sea of Japan pic.twitter.com/yXQP8Aj9YI
— RT (@RT_com) August 1, 2025

Strategic Convergence

China's Ministry of Defense reiterated on Friday that the 2025 drills are intended to "deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership" between the two countries. The timing is significant, as the exercises precede a scheduled visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China in late August.

Putin is expected to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which will include a military parade. He is also set to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underlining the tightening alliance between the two powers.

Since the inception of the Joint Sea exercises in 2012, China and Russia have staged regular joint drills aimed at expanding interoperability and signaling strategic alignment. Last year's joint Maritime Interaction-2024 exercises were held along China's southern coast. The 2025 iteration, however, marks one of the most advanced and symbolically potent demonstrations of Sino-Russian naval coordination to date.