Russia, China conducting joint naval patrols in Pacific Ocean
Russia and China are holding joint naval patrols in the Pacific Ocean as they deepen their military and diplomatic ties in the face of a more hostile West.
In a statement on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian and Chinese crews were conducting joint tactical maneuvers and carrying out exercises involving artillery and helicopters.
“The tasks of the patrols involve the strengthening of naval cooperation between Russia and China, upholding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, coastal monitoring and safeguarding Russian and Chinese nautical economic sites,” it said.
In October last year, the warships of the two sides held their first joint patrols of the western Pacific Ocean.
Furthermore, from September 1 to 7, Russia held the Vostok 2022 (East 2022) military drills in various locations in its Far East and the Sea of Japan, involving forces from China and other nations.
“During the patrol, the Russian Navy is represented by a detachment of Pacific Fleet ships consisting of the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, the corvettes Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov, Perfect and Loud, as well as the medium sea tanker Pechenga. From the PLA Navy, the destroyer ‘Nian Chang,’ the patrol ship ‘Yang Chen’ and the complex supply vessel ‘Dong Pinghu’ are involved in patrolling,” the statement added.
The ministry on Thursday also stressed that the joint maneuvers were meant to boost cooperation between the two countries, whose leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to meet on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Uzbek city of Samarkand later on Thursday for high-stakes talks.
Putin and Xi will be joined by leaders from India, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and several other countries in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand for the two-day regional summit touted as a challenge to Western global influence.
Russia is under an array of sanctions by the United States and its European allies over its ongoing “special military operation” in Ukraine, which began on February 24. China, too, is under Western pressure for its “no limits” partnership with Russia.
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