The Chinese and Russian navies will hold joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan this August, followed by coordinated maritime patrols in the Pacific, according to Ukrainian media outlet Ukrinform, citing China’s Ministry of Defense on July 30.
“The Chinese and Russian navies will conduct the joint exercise ‘Joint Sea 2025’ in the maritime and airspace areas near Vladivostok this August,” said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang during a press briefing.
Zhang noted that after the drills conclude, a portion of the forces involved from both sides will carry out the sixth joint naval patrol in designated areas of the Pacific Ocean.
“All of these activities are part of the annual cooperation plan between the armed forces of China and Russia. They are not directed at any third party and have no connection to the current international or regional situation,” Zhang emphasized.
The “Joint Sea” naval exercises have become a recurring element of military coordination between Moscow and Beijing, highlighting deepening defense ties amid rising tensions with the West in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing “can’t accept Russia losing its war against Ukraine as this could allow the United States to turn its full attention to China.”
However, this statement may reveal less about China’s genuine concerns and more about its diplomatic posturing.
