Russia announces joint naval drills with China
Moscow announced that several of its warships were participating in naval exercises starting this week with Beijing's navy, as Russia and China deepen ties amid pressure from the West.
The Russian defence ministry said the drills would take place between December 21 and 27 in the East China Sea, with the aim of "strengthening naval cooperation" between Moscow and Beijing.
They would include live firing of missiles, artillery and exercises to counter submarines, a statement said.
"The main goal of the exercises is to strengthen naval cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region."
"Aircraft and helicopters of the navy's aviation forces of the Pacific Fleet and the People's Liberation Navy will be involved in the exercise," the ministry said.
Formerly Cold War allies with a tempestuous relationship, China and Russia have drawn closer in recent years as part of what they call a "no-limits" relationship acting as a counterweight to the global dominance of the United States.
Russian warships set off to take part in joint naval drills with China, an exercise that showcases increasingly close defence ties between the two countries as they face tensions with the United States.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the Varyag missile cruiser, the Marshal Shaposhnikov destroyer and two corvettes of Russia’s Pacific Fleet would take part in manoeuvres in the East China Sea.
