China, Russia Begin Joint Naval Drills in Sea of Japan

China and Russia commenced three-day joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan on Sunday, marking another step in their deepening military partnership as both nations seek to challenge what they perceive as Western dominance in global affairs.

The "Joint Sea-2025" exercises, taking place in waters near the Russian port of Vladivostok, involve four Chinese vessels including guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, alongside Russian naval forces. According to China's Defense Ministry, the drills will feature submarine rescue operations, joint anti-submarine warfare, air defense maneuvers, anti-missile systems testing, and maritime combat scenarios.

The timing of these exercises carries particular significance, occurring just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines to "appropriate regions" in response to what he termed "highly provocative" remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. However, military analysts note that these drills were scheduled well before Trump's announcement.

This year's exercises represent the latest iteration of the annual "Joint Sea" program that began in 2012, demonstrating the sustained military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow. Last year's drills were conducted along China's southern coast, while this year's location in the Sea of Japan reflects the evolving strategic focus of both nations.

The partnership between China and Russia has strengthened considerably since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two countries signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before the conflict began, and China has provided crucial economic support to Russia despite Western sanctions. Notably, Beijing has never condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine nor called for troop withdrawal, maintaining what it describes as a neutral stance while accusing Western nations of prolonging the conflict through military aid to Ukraine.

Japan's Defense Ministry has expressed growing concern about the expanding military cooperation between China and Russia, viewing their joint activities as a serious security challenge in the region. The ministry's annual report last month highlighted these concerns, particularly regarding exercises in waters close to Japanese territory.

Following the current naval drills, both countries plan to conduct joint patrols in what they term "relevant waters of the Pacific," further extending their military presence in the region. The Russian Pacific Fleet emphasized that the exercises are "defensive in nature and not directed against other countries," though regional observers remain skeptical of these assurances.

The drills serve multiple purposes for both nations: they demonstrate military coordination capabilities, send deterrent signals to adversaries, and reinforce their strategic partnership in challenging the existing international order. For China, these exercises complement its broader military modernization efforts and assertiveness in regional waters. For Russia, they provide an opportunity to showcase continued international support despite widespread isolation over the Ukraine conflict.

As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate globally, these joint exercises underscore the growing alignment between two of the world's most significant military powers, potentially reshaping security dynamics across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.