China and Russia started joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday (August 3, 2025) as they search to bolster their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a U.S.-led world order.
Alongside financial and political ties, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their army cooperation in current years, and their relations have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Also learn: China says able to ‘expand practical cooperation’ with Russian Army
The “Joint Sea-2025” workouts kicked off in waters close to the Russian port of Vladivostok and would final for 3 days, China’s defence ministry mentioned in a press release on Sunday (August 3, 2025).
The two sides will maintain “submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat”.
Four Chinese vessels, together with guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are collaborating in the workouts alongside Russian ships, the Ministry mentioned.
After the drills, the 2 nations will conduct naval patrols in “relevant waters of the Pacific”.
China and Russia have carried out annual drills for a number of years, with the “Joint Sea” workouts starting in 2012.
Last yr’s drills have been held alongside China’s southern coast.
The Chinese Defence Ministry mentioned Friday (August 1, 2025) that this yr’s workouts have been aimed toward “further deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership” of the 2 nations.
China has by no means denounced Russia’s greater than three-year struggle nor known as for it to withdraw its troops, and many of Ukraine’s allies, together with the United States, imagine that Beijing has supplied assist to Moscow.
China insists it’s a impartial get together, recurrently calling for an finish to the combating whereas additionally accusing Western nations of prolonging the battle by arming Ukraine.
