Kathrine Frich
Several Chinese navy ships, including a submarine, docked in Vladivostok on Thursday.
Several Chinese navy ships, including a submarine, docked in Vladivostok on Thursday.
Chinese Warships Arrive in Vladivostok
This marks the beginning of joint exercises with Russia that will run from August 1 to 5.
Locals greeted the crews with flags and traditional customs, including bread and salt.
Video footage showed a ceremonial welcome, underlining the symbolic strength of the alliance.
“Joint Sea-2025” Kicks Off in the Pacific
The naval drills, named Joint Sea-2025, are the latest in a series of military collaborations between China and Russia.
Both nations describe the operation as defensive and say it isn’t aimed at any particular country.
However, the scale and timing of the drills suggest they are a message to rivals watching closely.
Beijing and Moscow Present a United Front
Military cooperation between the two countries has grown stronger in recent years.
Both governments have expressed frustration with what they see as U.S.-led global dominance.
Their growing alliance, military, political, and economic, is now taking visible form in exercises like these.
Not Just Naval Maneuvers
The drills go beyond surface operations.
Air patrols and coordination are also part of the plan.
Although specific tactics weren’t made public, officials confirmed that the operation will include strategic movements by sea and air, simulating real battlefield scenarios.
A Strategic Location Close to U.S. Allies
Vladivostok is not just any port, it sits close to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Hosting exercises there adds to the pressure in an already tense region.
Analysts believe the location was chosen to signal power, presence, and readiness in East Asia.
Officials Insist: “This Is Not About War”
Both the Russian and Chinese Defense Ministries stressed that the drills are peaceful and focus on improving coordination.
They deny any intention to provoke the West.
Still, with global tensions on the rise, even “friendly” exercises can raise concerns among NATO countries and their allies.
A Warm-Up for Putin’s Trip to China
These drills come just weeks ahead of Vladimir Putin’s official visit to China in late August.
Military cooperation could be high on the agenda.
With both sides presenting a united front, their partnership is expected to deepen even further.
