The Russian Ministry of Defense said today, Monday, that Russia and China will conduct joint naval exercises between December 21 and 27, noting that the joint naval exercises, which have been conducted annually since 2012, will include the firing of missiles and artillery shells in the East China Sea.
The ministry added - in a statement - that the main purpose of the maneuvers is to enhance maritime cooperation between Russia and China and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two countries signed a "borderless" strategic partnership just days before the start of the war on Ukraine in February, but Beijing has since expressed concern about Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Russia said that 4 of its ships will participate in the maneuvers, including the Varyag missile cruiser, while 6 Chinese ships will participate, along with warplanes and helicopters from both sides.
Today, Monday, Russian ships sailed from the port of Vladivostok (in the far east of Russia) to participate in the maneuvers, which begin on Wednesday and last for a week.
tactical maneuvers
In a related context, the Interfax agency quoted the Russian Ministry of Defense as saying that its forces stationed in Belarus are conducting tactical maneuvers - today, Monday - and the Russian units were deployed there last October.
At the time, the Belarusian defense minister described the presence of thousands of Russian soldiers on his country's soil as part of what he called "regional collaboration" to protect the borders.