China holds joint military exercises with Russia near its coast
China reportedly holds joint military exercises with Russia off its coast, according to Chinese statements. The drills named "Joint Sea-2024" were scheduled to begin at the beginning of July and last until the middle of the month, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced. The exercises are reportedly taking place in the sea and airspace near the city of Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong.
The joint exercises are intended to "demonstrate the determination and capability of both sides to respond jointly to threats to maritime security and maintain global and regional peace and stability," the Ministry stated. The maneuvers are expected to "deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia for the new era."
At the NATO summit that ended on Thursday in Washington, the participants criticized China in unusually sharp terms for its support for Russia in the Ukraine war. China was described as a "decisive accomplice" in Russia's aggressive war, according to a statement on the summit released on Wednesday by the heads of state and government.
NATO expressed "deep concern" over Beijing's close ties to Moscow and called on China to "stop any material and political support" for Russia's aggressive war. The Chinese government has not publicly condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and continues to supply both civilian and military useful items to Moscow.
China reacted sharply to the accusations and warned NATO against "provoking a confrontation." Chinese military forces have also held joint military exercises with Belarus, another Moscow ally, near NATO's eastern border this week.
- Despite the harsh criticisms from NATO at their recent summit, China continues to jointly conduct military drills with its ally Russia, such as "Joint Sea-2024," near its coastal city of Zhanjiang.
- These exercises, which involve both sea and airspace, are not limited to China and Russia; Chinese military forces have also participated in joint maneuvers with Belarus, a country with close ties to Russia, near NATO's eastern border.
- In response to the accusations of supporting Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine, China has emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the global and regional seas, as stated in their joint exercises with Russia off their shared coast.
