Russia and China engage in joint navy exercises in the Sea of Okhotsk
China and Russia Strengthen Military Ties Amid Ukraine Conflict
In a display of their growing military cooperation, China and Russia have recently conducted joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, marking a significant step in their strategic partnership.
Dubbed "Joint Sea-2025" or "Maritime Interaction 2025", these exercises took place near Vladivostok and lasted for three days, involving four Chinese vessels and Russian ships. The drills focused on various operations, including submarine rescue, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, anti-missile operations, and maritime combat [1][2][4].
Following the drills, naval patrols were conducted in relevant Pacific waters. China's participation in these exercises comes after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 [1].
Despite accusations from Ukraine and its allies that China provides military support to Russia, Chinese officials have maintained a neutral stance in the conflict. They emphasize that their defense cooperation with Russia is non-alliance based and non-confrontational, not targeting any third party such as Ukraine or NATO [5].
This military cooperation between the two nations has intensified in recent years. Since 2003, over 113 combined exercises have taken place, with about half occurring since 2019. Notably, while Russia traditionally took the lead, China is now increasingly leading joint exercises and surpassing Russia in military capabilities, a trend accelerated by Russia’s operational challenges in Ukraine [3].
China has also refused to impose sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, deepening ties between the two governments [6]. However, it is important to note that China's political stance on the conflict remains cautious, with officials emphasizing their neutrality as a third party [7].
In summary, the joint military drills between China and Russia demonstrate a growing coordination and mutual strategic support. China's political stance on the conflict is one of neutrality, but its cooperation with Russia is strategically significant and shaped partly in response to the geopolitical tensions triggered by the Ukraine conflict [1][2][3][5].
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August). China, Russia hold joint naval drills in Sea of Japan. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-russia-hold-joint-naval-drills-sea-japan-2025-08-01/
[2] Reuters. (2025, August). China, Russia hold joint naval exercises in Sea of Japan. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-russia-hold-joint-naval-exercises-sea-japan-2025-08-01/
[3] The Diplomat. (2025, August). China-Russia Military Cooperation: A New Era of Strategic Partnership. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/china-russia-military-cooperation-a-new-era-of-strategic-partnership/
[4] Global Times. (2025, August). China, Russia hold joint naval drills in Sea of Japan. [online] Available at: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1257393.shtml
[5] South China Morning Post. (2025, August). China-Russia military drills in the Sea of Japan: what you need to know. [online] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3164556/china-russia-military-drills-sea-japan-what-you-need-know
[6] South China Morning Post. (2022, February). China refuses to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3160419/china-refuses-condemn-russias-invasion-ukraine
[7] Reuters. (2022, February). China says it is a neutral third party in Ukraine crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-it-neutral-third-party-ukraine-crisis-2022-02-24/
In light of the ongoing Ukraine conflict and geopolitical tensions, China's military cooperation with Russia over war-and-conflicts matters has intensified. This cooperation includes joint naval drills, such as the recent Joint Sea-2025 exercises, and refusing to impose sanctions on Russia. However, Chinese officials maintain a politics of neutrality, emphasizing their non-alliance stance and non-confrontational approach, not targeting any third party like Ukraine or NATO.
