China and Russia begin joint air and naval exercise in the Sea of Japan

(Patria) - A Chinese naval flotilla set off on Sunday to join Russian naval and air forces in the Sea of Japan in an exercise aimed at "preserving the security of strategic shipping lanes", according to the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

The exercise, codenamed "Northern/Interaction-2023", marks enhanced military cooperation between China and Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and comes as Beijing continues to reject Washington's calls to resume military communication, Reuters writes.

The Chinese flotilla, consisting of five warships and four ship-borne helicopters, departed from the eastern port of Qingdao and will rendezvous with Russian forces in a "predetermined area", the ministry announced on its official WeChat account on Sunday. The ministry announced on Saturday that Russian naval and air forces would participate in the exercise held in the Sea of Japan.

This will be the first time Russian naval and air forces participate in the exercise.

Gromkiy and Sovershenniy, two Russian warships participating in the exercise in the Sea of Japan, conducted separate training with the Chinese navy in Shanghai earlier this month on formation movement, communication, and maritime rescue. Before entering the port of Shanghai, the ships sailed past Taiwan and Japan, prompting both Taipei and Tokyo to monitor the Russian warships.