China to send troops to Russia for joint military drills
2 Min Read
Amid tensions over the US' meddling in East Asia, Beijing asserts that its participation in the Vostok exercises is unrelated to current events and is part of constant collaboration with Moscow.
-
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers (Archive)
Chinese troops will travel to Russia to participate in joint military exercises led by the host country and involving India, Belarus, Mongolia, and Tajikistan, in addition to other countries, according to the Chinese defense ministry.
China’s participation in the joint exercises was “unrelated to the current international and regional situation”, the ministry said.
Moscow revealed plans in July to hold the Vostok (east) 2022 exercises from August 30 to September 5. At the time, it was stated that some foreign forces would be present, but no names were given.
China's defense ministry affirmed that the exercises are part of a bilateral annual cooperation agreement with Russia.
"The aim is to deepen practical and friendly cooperation with the armies of participating countries, enhance the level of strategic collaboration among the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats," the ministry said.
On his account, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price claimed that the US didn't "read anything into" the drills.
During a press conference, he added, "most of the participating countries also routinely participate in a wide array of military exercises and exchanges with the United States as well."
A look back
In August of last year, Russia and China conducted joint military exercises in north-central China which included over 10,000 troops. Sergei Shoigu, Russia's defense minister, hailed the Sibu/Cooperation-2021 drills in China's Ningxia and suggested they be expanded.
Russia and China conducted joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan in October. After a few days, Russian and Chinese warships conducted their first joint patrols in the western Pacific.
Shortly before the war in Ukraine, Beijing and Moscow announced a "no limits" partnership, despite the US failed attempts to push China to join US-led sanctions against Russia right after the start of the war.
It is worth noting that the eastern military district of Russia includes a portion of Siberia and is headquartered in Khabarovsk, near the Chinese border.
