China And Russia Commence Joint Naval Exercise Amid Tensions With NATO

China and Russia’s naval forces initiated a joint exercise at a military port in southern China on Sunday, according to the official news agency Xinhua. This maneuver follows closely after NATO allies labeled Beijing a “decisive enabler” of the war in Ukraine.

In a brief statement, the Chinese defense ministry disclosed that forces from both nations recently conducted patrols in the western and northern Pacific Ocean. The ministry emphasized that the operation was unrelated to any international or regional situations and was not targeted at any third party.

The exercise, which commenced in Guangdong province and is expected to continue until mid-July, aims to showcase the navies’ capabilities in addressing security threats and maintaining peace and stability globally and regionally. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the drill would include anti-missile exercises, sea strikes, and air defense operations.

Following the opening ceremony in the city of Zhanjiang, Chinese and Russian naval forces engaged in on-map military simulations and tactical coordination exercises, Xinhua News Agency reported.

These joint drills come on the heels of escalating tensions between China and NATO allies. Last week, a strongly worded final communique was approved by the 32 NATO members at their summit in Washington, identifying China as a growing concern for the military alliance. The communique branded Beijing a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The NATO members, alongside their Indo-Pacific partners, increasingly view shared security threats emanating from Russia and its Asian supporters, particularly China.

In response, China accused NATO of seeking security at the expense of others and warned the alliance against spreading “chaos” to Asia. The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated that China maintains a fair and objective stance on the war in Ukraine.

Additionally, last week, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on a routine patrol in the Bering Sea encountered several Chinese military ships in international waters within the U.S. exclusive economic zone. American officials reported that the crew detected three vessels approximately 124 miles (200 kilometers) north of the Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands, which connect the North Pacific and the Bering Sea. Later, a fourth ship was spotted about 84 miles (135 kilometers) north of the Amukta Pass. U.S. officials noted that the Chinese naval vessels operated within international rules and norms.