China and Russia Launch Joint Naval Drills in Sea of Japan to Strengthen Strategic Ties

China and Russia have commenced joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, signaling their continued military cooperation and shared opposition to the Western-dominated global order.
The “Joint Sea-2025” drills began near the Russian port city of Vladivostok and will run for three days. The exercises include submarine rescue operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, anti-missile drills, and maritime combat maneuvers.
Four Chinese warships, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating alongside Russian naval vessels. Once the drills conclude, both countries plan to conduct joint naval patrols in parts of the Pacific Ocean.
This marks another chapter in the annual “Joint Sea” military collaboration, which began in 2012. China stated the drills aim to further deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Despite international criticism of Russia’s war in Ukraine, China maintains a position of neutrality, calling for an end to the conflict while accusing Western powers of escalating the war through military support to Ukraine.