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China and Russia launch joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan
China and Russia launched joint naval exercises on Sunday, August 3, in the Sea of Japan, signaling a deepening military partnership between the two nations amid growing tensions with the United States and its allies.
The drills, titled "Joint Sea-2025", began near the Russian port city of Vladivostok, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Defense.
The operations will include underwater rescue missions, joint anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defense, and maritime combat simulations. Four Chinese naval vessels — including the Shaoxing and Urumqi missile destroyers — are participating alongside Russian warships.
Following the three-day maneuvers, both navies will conduct patrols in parts of the Pacific Ocean, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve military interoperability.
These joint naval drills have become a regular occurrence since they were first held in 2012. In 2024, they were staged along China’s southern coastline.
The Chinese Defense Ministry stated that the 2025 edition aims to “further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership” between the two nations. The timing is significant, coming just weeks before Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end.
During his visit, Putin is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to reinforce bilateral ties.
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, China has not condemned Russia’s invasion, and the two countries have expanded economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation since February 2022. In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of supplying weapons to Russia — a claim Beijing has firmly denied.
In early July, Xi Jinping emphasized to the Russian foreign minister that mutual support between the two nations should be further strengthened, reflecting an increasingly united front on the global stage.
