Russia, China conclude navy drills in Sea of Japan
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The Russian navy was represented by two anti-submarine ships, two corvettes, and auxiliary ships, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
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Chinese destroyer Wuhan leads a fleet of naval ships, heading to take part in a joint drill with Russia in the Sea of Japan on July 3, 2023. (AP)
Russia and China have concluded cooperative naval drills in the Sea of Japan (East Sea), according to the Russian Defense Ministry, as the two partners aim to strengthen their military ties.
The two have forged a closer military alliance since the war in Ukraine began.
As part of the "North/Interaction-2023" naval drills held in the Sea of Japan (East Sea), the Russian Pacific Fleet said on Saturday that Russian and Chinese naval forces conducted joint artillery firing at a sea target.
"During the joint naval exercise 'North/Interaction-2023', a joint detachment of ships performed artillery firing at a sea target simulating a surface vessel of a theoretical enemy," the statement read.
A statement by the Russian military Sunday confirmed that the exercises had ended, describing that "some twenty combat exercises were carried out... including joint artillery fire on maritime, coastal and air targets."
The Russian navy was represented by two anti-submarine ships, two corvettes, and auxiliary ships, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
On its part, on July 19, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced that the joint exercises between China and Russia, dubbed Northern Interaction 2023, had kicked off.
The exercises aim to strengthen future security in the maritime routes in the region, further improve strategic military cooperation between the two countries, bolster joint coordination to maintain regional peace and stability and increase readiness to respond to mutual security challenges.
Moscow and Beijing have increased their cooperation in recent years, proclaiming a "no limits" partnership, which was highlighted this year after both nations announced taking bilateral relations to new historic levels with aims to co-contribute to the creation of a multipolar world on the basis of a more "just world order" in contrast to the current status quo under Western hegemony.
China has repeatedly decried the "illegal" and provocative intrusion of US warships into waters surrounding the country, especially in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
In September 2022, Russia and China agreed to deepen defense cooperation with a focus on holding joint exercises.
