Arrival of Chinese Naval Flotilla
On Tuesday, a Chinese naval flotilla reached Russia’s far eastern port of Vladivostok for a four-day series of training and exchanges. This event highlights the strengthening military ties between China and Russia amid escalating tensions with the United States and its allies in the western Pacific.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Task Force 83, including the training ship Qi Jiguang and the amphibious dock landing ship Kunlunshan, arrived in Vladivostok at the Russian Navy’s invitation. The fleet was met with enthusiasm by a crowd waving flags, as captured in images published by China’s state media outlet Xinhua.
China’s Role in Supporting Russia
Despite maintaining a neutral stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine, China has aided Russia’s economy, burdened by sanctions, through increased cross-border trade. This includes the export of dual-use goods and buying heavily discounted Russian oil and gas.
The U.S. and European allies have labeled China as a ‘decisive enabler’ of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war efforts.
Strategic Partnership between China and Russia
During Putin’s visit to Beijing last month, he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strategic partnership. They committed to enhance cooperation across sectors such as defense, energy, and technology.
China’s Defense Ministry emphasized their dedication to expanding practical cooperation, honoring the consensus reached between the two nations’ leaders. This statement was released just before Qi Jiguang and Kunlunshan arrived in Vladivostok.
Newsweek sought comments from the Russian foreign ministry and the Pentagon via email.
Naval Cooperation and Joint Exercises
The deployment includes a ‘long-distance sea internship’, allowing Chinese sailors to engage with Russian naval officers during their stay, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.
China and Russia have bolstered their security ties by ramping up joint air and naval exercises. The two nations conducted their first joint submarine exercise, highlighted in an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The Congressional Research Service pointed out Russia’s navy as crucial to its global and Asia-Pacific ambitions, contributing to more extensive naval exercises with China. This reflects a growing level of trust and familiarity between the naval partners.
Concerns from U.S. and Allied Nations
The U.S. Coast Guard has voiced worries over increased Chinese and Russian patrols near U.S. territories, particularly around Alaska. Military operations from these countries have also raised alarms in Japan and South Korea, both close treaty allies of Washington.
In December, joint air patrols by Chinese and Russian bombers over the Sea of Japan initiated a response from Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force, which scrambled fighter jets. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi interpreted this operation as a show of force against Japan, posing a significant threat to national security.
Although China and Russia lack a formal military alliance, they challenge U.S. military dominance and promote a multipolar international order through their aligned actions.