Joint Naval Exercises
Chinese and Russian navies kick off joint military drills off China's eastern coast Monday, running through July 13. Exercises happen near major port city Qingdao,Chinese Ministry of Defence announced Sunday. After drills, both nations plan maritime patrols in unspecified Pacific Ocean areas.
Arriving in Qingdao for maneuvers are several vessels from Russia's Pacific Fleet: cruiser,a corvette, diesel-electric sub,rescue ship. China's Northern Theatre Command sends a strong contingent — two destroyers, a frigate,submarine, supply ship,rescue vessel . Operations will span reconnaissance, air and missile defense, surface-strike drills.
These joint exercises come roughly two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China, calling relationship “unprecedentedly high.” President Xi Jinping agreed,describing it as “unyielding.” Since 2012,Joint Sea exercises have been a fixture in military cooperation,last year's near Vladivostok also followed by Pacific patrols.
China's played neutral on Russia's Ukraine invasion,pushing peace talks but avoiding condemnation of military actions…
