China announces joint naval and air drills with Russia
China and Russia plan joint naval and air drills amid Ukraine conflict.
China’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday that joint naval and air drills with Russia will begin this month, emphasizing the growing military ties between the two nations as Russia continues its protracted invasion of Ukraine.
The ministry said the “Northern United-2024” exercises would take place in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk farther north, but gave no details.
It said the naval and air drills aimed to improve strategic cooperation between the two countries and “strengthen their ability to jointly deal with security threats.”
The notice also said the two navies would cruise together in the Pacific, the fifth time they have done so, and together take part in Russia’s “Great Ocean-24” exercise. No details were given.
China has refused to criticize Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, and blamed the US and Nato for provoking President Vladimir Putin.
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