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China and Russia began joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan on Sunday, aiming to reinforce their growing military partnership and present a united front against what they view as a U.S.-led global order.
The drills, titled "Joint Sea-2025," commenced in waters near the Russian port city of Vladivostok and are scheduled to run for three days, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of National Defense.
The exercises will include submarine rescue operations, joint anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and anti-missile drills, as well as maritime combat maneuvers. Four Chinese naval vessels, including the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating alongside Russian warships.
Following the drills, both navies will conduct joint patrols in “relevant waters of the Pacific,” the statement added. China and Russia have held joint naval exercises annually since 2012. Last year’s edition took place along China’s southern coastline.
The Chinese defense ministry stated Friday that this year’s exercises aim to “further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two nations.
Military ties between Beijing and Moscow have strengthened significantly in recent years, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While China has not condemned the war or called for Russia’s withdrawal, it continues to portray itself as a neutral party, urging an end to hostilities and criticizing Western nations for prolonging the conflict by supplying arms to Ukraine.
The United States and other Ukrainian allies have expressed concern that China may be offering material support to Moscow, a claim Beijing has consistently denied.
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