18-8-2023 (MOSCOW) In a significant display of cooperation, Russian and Chinese naval forces have embarked on joint maritime patrols in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, as revealed by Russia’s defence ministry on Friday.
The maritime manoeuvres include a multifaceted set of exercises encompassing rescue training and simulated countering of air strikes. Video footage disseminated by the Russian state news agency TASS portrayed a striking spectacle of nine substantial vessels sailing in a meticulously choreographed diamond formation, their crews standing in poised attention on the decks.
The training regimen extends to practical scenarios, with emphasis on critical operational capabilities such as “replenishment of fuel reserves by ships and the transfer of cargo on the go,” the defence ministry disclosed. Since the inception of these joint exercises, the collective fleet has traversed an impressive span of over 6,400 nautical miles.
This joint naval endeavour is transpiring within the waters of the East China Sea, involving a detachment of ships from both the Russian Navy and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy of China. The exercises have encompassed diverse operations, including anti-submarine manoeuvres, repulsion of a mock air strike, maritime rescue drills, and the intricate skill of helicopter take-offs and landings on the decks of warships.
The alignment between Moscow and Beijing has deepened over recent years, a development that comes against the backdrop of Russia’s strained relations with Western governments due to the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
A Chinese defence ministry spokesperson highlighted that the naval activities of Russia and China in the western and northern Pacific regions are explicitly devoid of any third-party targeting, and hold no connection to prevailing international or regional circumstances.
The Chinese Defence Minister, Li Shangfu, embarked on a visit to Russia this week to attend the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security. During the event, he echoed the call for enhanced military collaboration between the two nations.
Evident through various cooperative endeavours, Moscow and Beijing have considerably escalated their mutual defence initiatives in recent months. Notably, they executed a joint air patrol over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in July. These consolidated displays of military prowess, however, have given rise to regional concerns, exemplified by South Korea’s precautionary deployment of fighter jets following the aforementioned air patrol in July.
