Beijing: China’s Defense Ministry on Monday announced to conduct joint naval and air exercises with Russia this month. This announcement made by China reflects the kind of relationship between the two countries. The ministry said that the ‘Northern United-2024’ exercise will take place in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk in the far north, but no full details have been given about it. Meanwhile, Russia is continuously attacking Ukraine.
The aim is to improve strategic cooperation
A statement issued by the Chinese Defense Ministry said that the naval and air exercises aim to improve strategic cooperation between the two countries and strengthen their ability to jointly deal with security threats. The ministry statement also said that the two navies will land together in the Pacific Ocean for the fifth time and will participate together in Russia’s ‘Great Ocean-24’ exercise.
‘America and NATO countries are to blame’
China had refused to criticise Russia’s full-blown attack against Ukraine. In the wake of the war which has now entered its third year, China has blamed the US and NATO for provoking President Vladimir Putin. China has not directly provided any weapons to Russia, but being the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas, it has become a very important country for Moscow from the point of view of economic security.
