US, Canada intercept Russia, China warplanes after joint naval parade
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Despite operating in international airspace, the US and Canada intercepted Russian and Chinese warplanes near Alaska.
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Chinese and Russian naval forces begin joint drills in the sea off southern China on July 14, 2024 (AP)
Canada and the United States intercepted Russian and Chinese military aircraft near Alaska on Wednesday, despite the joint naval forces remaining in international airspace.
"Fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept," the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said, adding that the warplanes "remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace," highlighting they were "not seen as a threat."
The warplanes were identified as two Russian TU-95s and two Chinese PRC H-6 military aircraft within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, an area monitoring air traffic beyond the national airspace border to provide additional reaction times in the event of hostile activity.
China joins Russia's naval celebrations
A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship arrived in St Peterburg on Monday to participate in Russia's Navy Day celebrations this upcoming Sunday.
Jiaozuo, the Type052D guided missile destroyer, was greeted by Russian military representatives and local citizens on Tuesday during its welcome ceremony hosted by Russia's military band while sailing along the Neva River, China Central Television (CCTV) reported Wednesday.
During its one-week dock, the missile destroyer will be opened to the Russian public and join Thursday's Navy Day parade rehearsals, according to CCTV.
The PLA Navy has taken part in previous Russian naval celebrations. However, observers noted that this year marks a momentous development in China's warships compared to five years ago, signifying the Asian country's military progress and the two nations' military ties.
Western double standards
The Western world is infamous for establishing double standards in both politics and media, especially regarding Russia and China's latest joint naval exercises conducted from the northern Pacific Ocean to the South China Sea.
The joint military drills have been described as "confronting NATO" by Western media. Meanwhile, the US and South Korea frequently partake in military training sessions together intended to prepare for a potential war on the Korean Peninsula.
Unlike the US and South Korea, China and Russia's military cooperation aims to combat hegemony and promote peace and stability amid rising international security issues, according to analysts.
US-based news outlet Newsweek referred to the Jiaozuo's voyage across the Baltic Sea to reach St Petersburg as "sailing past NATO's sea borders" or into the "NATO lake."
The Western double standards are depicted through US warships using the South China Sea to make transits through the Taiwan Straits and direct military exercises against China, the Global Times reported on Wednesday, citing a Beijing-based military expert.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
