In Sea of Japan, China and Russia flex power to counter US and allies in Asia-Pacific

China-Russia navy drills show they are willing and able to undermine growing military ties between US, Japan and South Korea, analysts say

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Russian anti-submarine aircraft fly during the Ocean-2024 drill with China. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

Published: 8:30pm, 20 Sep 2024Updated: 8:30pm, 20 Sep 2024

The Chinese navy held back-to-back drills with Russia in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea, earlier this month in what analysts say shows Beijing and Moscow’s growing ability to counter coordination by the US and its allies in the region.

According to state media, Chinese and Russian forces held the first phase of the “Northern/Interaction-2024” exercise, a joint live-fire naval drill, from September 11 to 15.

A People’s Liberation Army naval fleet, including the guided missile destroyer Xining, visited a military port in the Russian Far East on Wednesday ahead of the second phase of the exercise, which will take place in the Sea of Okhotsk later this month. The two navies will also conduct their fifth joint maritime patrol in the northern Pacific Ocean as part of the drill.

The first phase of the exercise included simulated missile strikes using data from air troops aimed at “examining the tactical command coordination and joint operational capabilities of the two sides”, according to China Military Online.

China’s defence ministry said the drills aimed to “deepen the level of strategic coordination between the Chinese and Russian militaries, and enhance their ability to jointly respond to security threats”.