Russia and China begin joint military exercises in response to US “aggressive” stance

Russian and Chinese warships began joint maneuvers in the East China Sea week, continuing a series of military reflection exercises growing cooperation defense between the two countries.

The naval maneuvers are a “reaction” to the “aggressive” US stance in Asia, Russian chief of staff Valeri Gerasimov said on Friday.

“This collaboration it is a natural reaction to aggressively build US military potential in the region,” Guerasimov told military representatives of foreign countries.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the missile cruiser Varyag, destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov and two corvettes from Russia’s Pacific Fleet were taking part in the exercises that began on Wednesday. China has deployed two destroyers, a diesel submarine and other vessels for the exercise.

Russian and Chinese aircraft also participate in weekly drills, which will include fire drills and anti-submarine drills, according to the ministry.

“The main purpose of the exercises is to strengthen naval cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” the ministry said.

Military ties between Moscow and Beijing they got stronger since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

China, which he stated a friendship “without limits” with Russia, he refused to criticize Moscow’s actions, blaming the United States and NATO provoke the Kremlinand criticized the sanctions imposed on Russia.

Russia, in turn, has strongly supported China amid tensions with the United States over Taiwan.

the maneuvers

“Russian-Chinese air and sea patrols in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as exercises and training, have become a practical application of the strategic partnership with China,” Gerasimov said during his speech.

Russia announced on Monday that several of its warships will take part in a series of exercises with the Chinese navy between December 21 and 27, as Moscow and Beijing strengthen ties with the West amid a conflict in Ukraine. .

In the plans there are also joint missile launch exercisesartillery and anti-submarine warfare, the Russian defense ministry said.

“The goal of these exercises is to increase the combat coherence of both countries’ troops and forces and their ability to withstand new challenges and threats,” the official said.

However, the Russian chief of staff said that Moscow and Beijing do not intend to “create alliances” or “new divisions in the region, like Washington”.

In recent months, the Kremlin has sought to strengthen its ties with Asian countries, particularly with China, in response to Western sanctions imposed on Russia following its offensive against Ukraine.

Moscow and Beijing are presented as a geopolitical counterweight against the United States and its allies, as witnessed by Wednesday’s visit to China by former Russian president and current number two on the Security Council, Dmitri Medvedev, where he met with President Xi Jinping.

Source: AFP and AP

ap