Russia, China hold naval manoeuvres in western Pacific Ocean

Fast News

Beijing says the aim of the joint exercise was to further develop ‘China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.’

Tsugaru Strait is regarded as international waters. (Reuters)

Russian and Chinese warships held
their first joint patrols in the western Pacific Ocean over the
past week.

Japan said on Sunday it closely monitored the naval manoeuvres.

Moscow and Beijing, which staged naval cooperation drills in
the Sea of Japan earlier in October, have cultivated closer
military and diplomatic ties in recent years at a time when
their relations with the West have soured.

Tokyo said earlier in the week that a group of 10
vessels from China and Russia sailed through the Tsugaru Strait
separating Japan’s main island and its northern island of
Hokkaido.

“The group of ships passed through the Tsugaru Strait for
the first time as part of the patrol,” Russia’s defence ministry confirmed in a statement on Saturday. 

“The tasks of the patrols were the demonstration of the
Russian and Chinese state flags, maintaining of peace and
stability in the Asia-Pacific region and guardianship of the
subjects of maritime economic activities of the two countries,”
the ministry added.

China’s defence ministry said on Sunday the joint exercise
aimed to “further develop the China-Russia comprehensive
strategic partnership in the new era, enhance the joint action
capabilities of both parties and jointly maintain international
and regional strategic stability”.

A report on the ministry website said the operation was part of annual cooperation between the two nations and not targeted at third parties.

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A group of naval vessels from Russia and China conduct a joint maritime military patrol in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, October 23, 2021. (Russian Defence Ministry) (Reuters)

‘Unusal’ moves

Japanese defence officials said on Sunday the Russian and Chinese vessels had also passed through the Osumi Strait off the southern Japanese prefecture Kagoshima, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Foreign ships are allowed to navigate through the Osumi and Tsugaru straits as they are international waterways, but Japan’s defence ministry said it will monitor the two navies, characterising the recent moves as “unusual”, NHK reported.

Japanese officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Source: Reuters

Russia, China hold naval manoeuvres in western Pacific Ocean
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