BEIJING: Chinese defence ministry has said its flotilla left Sunday to join Russian naval and air forces in the Sea of Japan for a joint military drill for “safeguarding the security of strategic waterways”, as the cordiality between the two countries has increased with Chinese President Xi Jinping terming relations as “no limit partnership”.
The exercise, code-named “Northern/Interaction-2023”, marks enhanced military cooperation between China and Russia since the latter invaded Ukraine in February last year.
On Sunday, the defence ministry said on its official WeChat account: “The Chinese flotilla comprised of five warships and four ship-borne helicopters, left the eastern port of Qingdao and will rendezvous with Russian forces in a predetermined area.”
It said Saturday that the Russian naval and air forces would participate in the exercise taking place in the Sea of Japan.
This would be the first time Russian both naval and air forces take part in the drill, state newspaper Global Times quoted military observers as having said.
Sovershenniy and Gromkiy, two Russian warships taking part in the Sea of Japan drill, had earlier this month conducted separate training with the Chinese navy in Shanghai on formation movements, communication and sea rescues.
The same ships had sailed passed Japan and Taiwan, prompting both Tokyo and Taipei to monitor the Russian warships.
Days before Russia commenced its special military operation, President Putin and Chinese leader Xi declared their partnership aimed at countering the US influence.
Russia and China carried out a joint air patrol over the Seas of Japan and East China in June — the sixth such patrol in the area since 2019 — and the flights provoked South Korea to deploy fighter jets as a precaution.
