China and Russia deepen military ties with Sea of Japan patrol
Chinese and Russian armed forces conducted their ninth strategic patrol flight over the waters of the Sea of Japan on Friday. Military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow has tightened since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
6:59 AM EST, November 29, 2024
Beijing and Moscow's armed forces are conducting joint military exercises. On Friday, the troops operated over the Sea of Japan.
A statement released by the Chinese military said that the partnership patrol conducted by the soldiers was carried out "in accordance with the cooperation plan for this year." State media reported on the event, although no further details were provided.
Partnership between China and Russia: Joint military activities
In recent times, both countries have conducted several joint exercises. In July, maneuvers took place in the waters and airspace of the South China Sea near the city of Zhanjiang in southern China.
In the same month, near Alaska, the air forces of the United States and Canada intervened for the first time against Russian and Chinese bombers. In September, the fleets of both countries conducted the joint Beibu/Interaction-2024 exercises in the Sea of Japan.
The leaders of both countries, Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China and Russian President Vladimir Putin, declared a "friendship without limits" three weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine began. However, China remains neutral in the conflict, declaring it does not provide military support.
At the same time, Beijing has not condemned the Russian invasion and opposes the sanctions imposed on Moscow. The Beijing government also maintains that there is no information about North Korean soldiers being among Russian units on the Ukrainian front.
