China has announced its dispatch of navy ships in preparation for joint exercises with Russia's sea forces, signaling its ongoing support for Moscow in the Ukraine conflict. Despite the mounting economic and humanitarian consequences resulting from the prolonged conflict, China remains firmly aligned with Russia.
Although China claims to be neutral in the Ukraine conflict, it has openly criticized the United States and its allies for allegedly provoking Russia. The nation has maintained strong economic, diplomatic, and trade ties with Moscow. The joint naval exercises, as reported by China's Xinhua News Agency, involve more than 10 ships and over 30 aircraft.
While specific details regarding the drills were not disclosed by the Chinese Ministry of Defense or Xinhua, sources suggest that the exercises are scheduled to take place in parts of the Sea of Japan in the coming days.
China has consistently supported Russia in international forums, opposing the U.S.-led condemnation of the Ukraine conflict. However, China has made it clear that it will not provide arms to either side of the conflict.
The Chinese Defense Ministry announced on July 19 that Chinese navy ships had rendezvoused with their Russian counterparts. The Chinese fleet included the guided missile destroyers Qiqihar and Guiyang, the guided missile frigates Zaozhuang and Rizhao, as well as the supply ship Taihu. The Chinese ships were accompanied by four helicopters.
Among the Russian participants were the frigates Gromkiy and Otlichnyy, which had been hosting visitors in Shanghai, China's largest city and main port, for the past week.
The joint drills are said to focus on ship-to-ship communications, formation maneuvering, and maritime search and rescue.
The military exercise follows a recent meeting in Beijing between China's defense minister and the head of Russia's navy, marking the first formal military talks between the two countries since a brief mutiny by the Russian mercenary group known as Wagner.
China has consistently assured Russia of its unwavering support since the uprising. During the meeting, Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu expressed China's desire for increased exchanges, joint exercises, and further cooperation to elevate defense ties to a new level, as stated by the Chinese Defense Ministry.
China currently boasts the world's largest navy in terms of the number of vessels, vastly surpassing Russia in both size and technological capabilities. Since Russia's conflict with Ukraine, the two nations have conducted a series of joint exercises and maneuvers involving their respective naval and air forces.
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