Politics

Russia, China to hold joint naval exercise in East China Sea

Moscow, Dec 19 (EFE).- Russia and China will hold joint week-long naval exercises in the East China Sea starting this week, the Russian defense ministry said Monday.

The drills demonstrate the improving defense and security relationship between Moscow and Beijing amid rising tensions with Western powers over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The “Naval Interaction” exercises, which will begin Wednesday and which have been held annually since 2012, will include artillery fire and missile launch drills, the defense ministry said in a statement.

The Russian and Chinese ships will rehearse coordinated maneuvers against submarines using weaponry, the statement added.

“The main objective of the exercises is the strengthening of naval cooperation between Russia and the People’s Republic of China and the preservation of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” a press release said.

The flagship of the Russian Pacific Fleet, cruiser Varyag, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov and the corvettes Aldar Tsydemzhapov and Sovershennyi will take part in the exercises.

The drills will also feature aircraft and helicopters from both the Russian Pacific Fleet and the Chinese Navy, which will also send two destroyers, two patrol boats, a diesel submarine and a supply ship.

In addition to naval exercises, Russia and China regularly carry out joint air patrol missions in the Asia-Pacific region.EFE

mos/ks/jot

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