China and Russia to hold annual joint naval drills

Exercises from Monday to July 13 disconnected Qingdao to beryllium followed by associated maritime patrols successful the Pacific Ocean.

The Chinese and Russian navies volition clasp associated exercises successful the waters and airspace disconnected China’s eastbound seashore this coming week.

In a connection connected Sunday, the Chinese Ministry of Defence said the yearly drills disconnected the large larboard of Qingdao would beryllium followed by associated maritime patrols successful unspecified areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Separately, Russian authorities media reported that a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine and a rescue vas from Russia’s Pacific Fleet had arrived successful Qingdao for the drills that are acceptable to tally from Monday to July 13.

China’s Northern Theatre Command said its participating forces see 2 destroyers, a frigate, a submarine, a proviso vessel and a rescue vessel.

The 2 navies are expected to behaviour reconnaissance, aerial and rocket defence, and surface-strike exercises.

The manoeuvres travel astir 2 months aft Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to China, during which helium described bilateral relations arsenic having reached an “unprecedentedly precocious level”.

For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping called the 2 countries’ partnership “unyielding”.

The 2 large diplomatic and economical partners person held Joint Sea exercises since 2012. Last year’s variation took spot adjacent the Russian larboard of Vladivostok and was besides followed by associated patrols successful the Pacific.

China has ne'er denounced Russia’s full-scale penetration of neighbouring Ukraine. It insists it is simply a neutral party and has been regularly calling for bid talks.