Russia and China conduct joint drills in 3 seas

Reuters The Chinese and Russian air forces conducted a joint air patrol on May 24 in the Sea of ​​Japan, the East China Sea and the East China Sea. This is the first patrol since Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine as part of its annual military exercises.

Details of the joint patrol were not released. The two countries previously held such patrols in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Russia faces a series of sanctions from Western countries after a “special military operation” in Ukraine on February 24. China urges the parties to find a solution through negotiations.

Tu-95 strategic bombers during a joint patrol in the Asia-Pacific on May 24. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

Meanwhile, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on May 24 expressed deep concern about Russia and China sending fighter jets near Japan at a time when the leaders of the “Quad” group (including US, India, Japan and Australia) talks on regional security.

Mr. Kishi told reporters: “Two Chinese bombers along with two Russian bombers in the Sea of ​​Japan made a joint flight to the East China Sea. Then a total of four planes – including two alleged (newly arrived) Chinese bombers replacing the previous two – and two Russian bombers that made a joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific.” .

In addition, a Russian intelligence-gathering plane also flew from northern Hokkaido to the Noto peninsula in central Japan on May 24. Mr Kishi described the moves as “particularly provocative”.

The leaders of the “Quad” warned on May 24 against attempts to “change the status quo by force”, though avoided mentioning Russia or China directly in a joint statement. However, their statement referred to the war in Ukraine and listed a range of actions Beijing is accused of regularly taking in the region.