China and Russia have launched live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea after strengthening military and trade ties in recent years as a result of US sanctions on both.
According to the report, both countries would send at least three ships to the three-day exercises. Other state media reported that the actions came after a separate coordinated naval patrol in the north Pacific ended.
The “Joint Sea-2024” exercise includes a variety of tasks, such as stationary defense, joint surveillance and early warning, search and rescue operations, and combined air defense exercises. Chinese destroyers and naval vessels, as well as Russian corvettes and support ships, are among those taking part.
This collaboration comes at a moment of high geopolitical tension, especially in response to increased military activity in the region by the United States and its allies. Experts believe that the Chinese-Russian actions are a strategic message demonstrating their naval capabilities and collaboration. Some experts feel that these drills act as an alternative to US-led military exercises and alliances in the Asia-Pacific.
This is not the first instance of China and Russia conducting joint military exercises. Their naval cooperation dates back to 2012, with regular joint exercises being a testament to their growing strategic partnership. These exercises have grown in frequency and complexity over time, reflecting the region’s changing security dynamics.
The exercises emphasize the significance of the South China Sea, a critical marine corridor for global trade and an area filled with territorial conflicts. As China and Russia expand their military ties, neighboring countries and world powers are eagerly watching. To offset the expanding China-Russia axis, the United States and its allies are likely to increase up military activity and strategic relationships. The live-fire naval exercises between China and Russia in the South China Sea are a significant development in the Asia-Pacific geopolitical environment. These exercises underscore the two great nations’ growing military cooperation and readiness to meet regional security threats.
