Global (Commonwealth Union) _ China and Russia have reinforced their growing partnership amid rising global tensions by launching a series of joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan. The three-day naval drills are allegedly part of the “Joint Sea-2025” initiative and began near the Russian port of Vladivostok, involving warships, submarines, and maritime patrols from both nations.
According to China’s Ministry of National Defence, the exercises include operations such as submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and missile interception. The drills also aim to test and enhance coordination between the two militaries, particularly in maritime combat readiness and joint response capabilities.
Four major Chinese naval vessels are participating, including the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, alongside Russian ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet. Both nations are also deploying diesel-electric submarines and support vessels, such as a Chinese submarine rescue ship.
Although these military drills have occurred annually since 2012, the location in the Sea of Japan this year has attracted increased attention. Japan’s Ministry of Defence, in its latest security report, noted concerns over the deepening military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. However, the Russian Pacific Fleet stated that the operation is “defensive in nature and is not directed against other countries.”
The timing of the drills coincides with a tense geopolitical climate. Just two days before they began, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be deployed in “appropriate regions” following statements by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev regarding nuclear escalation. Nevertheless, both Russian and Chinese officials noted that the exercises had been scheduled well in advance and were unrelated to recent developments.
China has continued to maintain what it describes as a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, calling for a cessation of hostilities while simultaneously criticising Western nations for supplying arms to Kyiv. At the same time, Western leaders have urged Beijing to leverage its ties with Moscow to push for an end to the war. While China has refrained from directly criticising the Russia-Ukraine war, it has reiterated its commitment to a diplomatic resolution.
A Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson remarked that the purpose of the 2025 drills is to “further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two countries. The exercises, officially titled “Maritime Interaction-2025,” will conclude on Tuesday with further coordinated maneuvers in the Pacific region.
