Russian, Chinese drills, naval exercises response to US expansion

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Dec 2022 19:30

US expansion in the region has led Russia and China to prepare for the worst situations.

Chinese and Russian naval fleets conduct joint drills on October 23, 2021 in the East China Sea. (China News Service)

The joint naval exercises, air patrols and drills conducted by Russia and China are a response to the aggressive US military build-up in the region, according to Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

"Russian-Chinese maritime and air patrols in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as exercises and drills have become the practical implementation of the strategic partnership with China. The purpose of such actions is to increase the combat coherence of the troops and forces of the two countries and the ability to withstand new challenges and threats," Gerasimov told a briefing of foreign military attaches.

The Russian official emphasized that neither Russia nor China are planning to create any alliances and new dividing lines in the region; however, the joint drills are a natural reaction to the actions of the US.

On Monday, the Wall Street Journal said that Russia and China will initiate naval drills from 21 December to 27 December in the waters of the East China Sea, as per statements issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The report states that the drills are intended to bolster the relations between the two countries given the context in which the West isolated Russia.

But considering the defiance of the Global South in abiding by sanctions against Russia, it is clear that Russia is not isolated, and considering that these drills have been happening on a yearly basis since 2012, there is really nothing new about the headlines.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Monday that a detachment of Russian Pacific Fleet ships left the port of Vladivostok to participate in the Russian-Chinese exercise.

The goal is to strengthen naval cooperation between Russia and China and to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy will send two destroyers, two patrol ships, an integrated supply ship and a diesel submarine to take part in the exercise," the Russian Defense Ministry added.