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.

navy worldwide news

03 august 2025   |   11:01   |   Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP   |   Prepared by: Krzysztof Pawliszak   |   Print

fot. Wikimedia Commons

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.

Buy us a coffee, and we’ll invest in great maritime journalism! Support Gazeta Morska and help us sail forward – click here!

Chiny i Rosja ćwiczenia morskie Morze Japońskie manewry wojskowe współpraca militarna Chiny i Rosja

comments

---

enter content

COMMENT

nick

Add the first comment