China and Russia launch joint naval drills in Sea of Japan
On Sunday, the Chinese and Russian navies commenced joint maritime exercises in the Sea of Japan under the codename Maritime Interaction 2025. The three-day drills aim to “further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two countries, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of National Defense.
In brief
The navies of China and Russia began on Sunday the three-day Maritime Interaction 2025 naval exercise in the Sea of Japan, near the Russian port of Vladivostok. Four Chinese vessels are taking part, including the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, and the programme covers submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and air and missile defence. After the manoeuvres, China and Russia will conduct joint patrols in Pacific waters. Exercises under the Maritime Interaction codename have been held since 2012.
The maneuvers are being held near the Russian port city of Vladivostok and involve a range of coordinated naval operations. Activities include submarine rescue drills, joint anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defense coordination, and live-fire surface combat exercises.
China has deployed four naval vessels to the operation, including the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi. Following the conclusion of the exercise, both navies are expected to conduct joint maritime patrols in "strategically significant areas of the Pacific Ocean."
The Maritime Interaction series of drills has been conducted regularly since 2012 and forms part of a broader pattern of deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing. Despite international condemnation of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has maintained a neutral public stance and has significantly strengthened its economic, military, and political ties with Russia over the past three years.
In 2024, the two navies conducted several joint air and sea patrols in both the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. These operations have heightened regional tensions, particularly with Japan, which reported multiple incursions into its airspace by Russian and Chinese aircraft last year—provoking formal diplomatic protests from Tokyo.
Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP · Compiled by: Krzysztof Pawliszak
Related articles
Navy and defence ORP Mewa marks four months with SNMCMG1. Poland's first Kormoran II deployment runs to year-end 
Shipbuilding industry Ex-Enterprise towed to Mobile under $418.5m contract. Test case for Nimitz-class disposal begins 
Navy and defence Norwegian submarine Utstein completes NATO patrol guarding offshore oil and undersea infrastructure 
History Polish Naval Museum in Gdynia opens its doors on Independence Day, 11 November 
Equipment and technology Saab unveils Sea Giraffe AMB D naval radar with 250 km air surveillance range 
Navy and defence Polish minehunters and NATO group search Gulf of Gdańsk port approaches
Comments (0)
The discussion is moderated by the editors: a comment appears after review. Your e-mail address is not published.
Nobody has commented on this article yet.