The Russian Pacific Fleet released a photograph of the opening ceremony for the joint Russian-Chinese Maritime Interaction-2025 naval exercise. This exercise took place from August 1st to 5th in the Sea of Japan, with the aim of fostering experience exchange between the Russian Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy. The event was held in Vladivostok, Russia.
Earlier in August, diesel-electric submarines from the Chinese and Russian navies conducted their first joint patrol in the Asia-Pacific region. This information was reported by Russian media, citing a statement from Russia’s Pacific Fleet. A Chinese expert noted that this joint patrol demonstrated the underwater interoperability of the two navies.
The joint patrol followed the conclusion of the China-Russia Exercise Joint Sea 2025 in the Sea of Japan. The Russian submarine Volkhov, from the Pacific Fleet, and a submarine from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, patrolled a pre-approved route in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. Upon completion of their mission, the crews returned to their respective bases.
While the Chinese side had not yet officially announced the joint submarine patrol at the time of the report, they had released information about the Joint Sea-2025 exercise and a subsequent joint maritime patrol in the Western Pacific. The Joint Sea-2025 exercise included joint air defense, naval warfare, anti-submarine, and anchorage defense operations near Vladivostok. Following this, a joint maritime patrol commenced on August 6th. This patrol concluded on August 20th in the Western Pacific.
According to a Chinese military affairs expert, the first joint submarine patrol signifies a high level of strategic mutual trust between China and Russia. The ability of submarines to maintain contact requires advanced technical skills and extensive collaboration. The joint patrol highlighted the two navies' underwater interoperability. The expert stated that through these joint drills and patrols, the Chinese and Russian navies are enhancing their ability to jointly protect maritime security and stability.
A spokesperson at China’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the China-Russia Exercise Joint Sea 2025 and the joint maritime patrol were part of the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries. They emphasized that these activities were not directed at any third party and were unrelated to the current international and regional situation.
6 Comments
Fuerza
Joint drills like these can enhance security in the Asia-Pacific. It's not necessarily a threat but a means of ensuring safety.
Manolo Noriega
This 'mutual trust' is dangerous. It might lead them to collaborate on more aggressive military strategies.
Fuerza
These joint operations in the Sea of Japan could provoke regional allies. This could lead to unnecessary conflict.
Ongania
Encouraging a stronger military alliance between Russia and China puts us all at risk. We can’t ignore the implications of this.
Fuerza
These drills could escalate tensions with neighboring countries. The last thing we need is more military collaboration between two nations with questionable intentions.
Leonardo
Military partnerships can actually lead to better diplomacy, as these countries understand each other’s capabilities.