Navy China and Russia began joint exercises at a military port in southern China yesterday, China's official Xinhua news agency reported, days after the NATO allies called Beijing a "decisive factor" about the war in Ukraine, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense said in a brief statement that forces from both sides had recently patrolled the western and northern Pacific Ocean, and that the operation had nothing to do with the international and regional situation and was not directed against any third party. country.
The exercise, which began yesterday in Guangdong province and is expected to last until mid-July, aims to demonstrate the navy's capabilities in dealing with security threats and maintaining global and regional peace and stability, China's military said. state television, specifying that the maneuvers will include anti-missile exercises, strikes at sea and air defense.
Xinhua News Agency reported that the Chinese and Russian navies conducted military simulations and tactical coordination exercises after the opening ceremony in Zhangjiang city. The joint exercises were held on the occasion of recent tensions between China and NATO allies last week, AP notes.
The final declaration approved by NATO's 32 member nations at their Washington summit made clear that China is becoming the focus of the military alliance, with Beijing being called a "decisive factor" about Russia's war against Ukraine. European and North American members and their partners in the Indo-Pacific region are increasingly noticing common concerns for their security coming from Russia and its backers in Asia - mainly China.
In response, China accused NATO of seeking security at the expense of others and told the alliance not to bring the same "chaos" in Asia.
Last week, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on a routine patrol in the Bering Sea encountered several Chinese warships in international waters but within the U.S. exclusive economic zone, U.S. officials said. Its crew found three ships about 200 km north of Amchitka Strait in the Aleutian Islands.
A fourth vessel was later sighted about 135 km north of Amukta Strait. US authorities said the Chinese warships acted within international rules and norms.