Russia and China announce joint naval exercises

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced, on Monday, that Russia and China will conduct joint naval exercises between December 21 and December 27.

She added that the joint naval exercises, which have been held annually since 2012, will include firing rockets and artillery shells in the East China Sea.
She noted that the main purpose of the exercises is to enhance maritime cooperation between Russia and China and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Moscow has sought closer political, security and economic ties with Beijing since its invasion of Ukraine in February, and regards Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a key ally in an anti-Western alliance.
The two countries signed a “borderless” strategic partnership just days before Moscow launched its military operations in Ukraine, but Beijing has since expressed concern about Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Russia said that four of its ships would take part in the maneuvers, including the Varyag missile cruiser, while six Chinese ships would take part, along with planes and helicopters from both sides.
And the Russian ships sailed Monday from the port of Vladivostok in the far east of Russia to participate in the maneuvers that begin on Wednesday and will last for a week.