China and Russia launched joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday, underscoring their deepening partnership aimed at countering a U.S.-led global order.
Alongside economic and political ties, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years, and their relations have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The "Joint Sea-2025" exercises kicked off in waters near the Russian port of Vladivostok and would last for three days, China's Defense Ministry said in a statement Sunday.
The two sides will hold "submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defence and anti-missile operations, and maritime combat."
Four Chinese vessels, including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, are participating in the exercises alongside Russian ships, the ministry said.
