A recent six-day joint military exercise in the Sea of Japan between China and Russia named Northern/Interaction-2024 aimed to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two countries and enhance their ability to respond to security threats. The Chinese navy will continue to participate in the Russian navy’s Ocean-2024 strategic exercise in the Sea of Okhotsk later this month. This larger exercise involves over 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, more than 120 planes and helicopters, and 90,000 troops. The Chinese fleet participating in the drills includes guided-missile destroyers, frigates, and helicopters drawn from the Navy of the Northern Theatre Command.
Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted that the joint exercises were designed to counter the perceived threats from the United States and its allies, who have increased their military presence near Russia’s western borders, in the Arctic, and in the Asia-Pacific region. Putin noted that the drills involving over 90,000 Russian troops were the largest of their kind in three decades. Through these exercises, Russia seeks Chinese support in becoming a Pacific power, while Moscow supports China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and other regions.
The joint military drills underscore the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia as they work together to enhance their security capabilities and counter external threats. The exercises aim to demonstrate the close cooperation between the two countries and showcase their readiness to respond to potential security challenges in various regions, including the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic Seas. By participating in these drills, both China and Russia seek to strengthen their military ties and coordination in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.
The participation of the Chinese navy in the Russian-led Ocean-2024 strategic exercise highlights the expanding cooperation between the two countries in military matters. The presence of Chinese warships, submarines, and support vessels alongside their Russian counterparts demonstrates the evolving nature of their defense partnership. These joint drills provide an opportunity for the two nations to enhance their interoperability, exchange best practices, and improve their overall defense capabilities through shared training and exercises.
As the drills come to a close, both China and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership and enhancing their military cooperation in the face of common security challenges. The joint exercises serve as a platform for the two countries to strengthen their defense ties, build trust, and promote stability in the region, while also sending a message to external powers about their unity and readiness to respond effectively to any potential threats. Moving forward, China and Russia will continue to collaborate on a range of security issues and work towards further strengthening their defense capabilities through joint training and exercises.
