Kinshasa, August 3rd, 2025 (CPA).- China and Russia have begun joint naval exercises on Sunday called ‘Operation Joint Sea-2025’ in the Sea of Japan to deepen the overall strategic partnership between the two countries, according to international media reports. ‘The two armies will engage in submarine rescue operations, joint anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defence, and maritime combat,’ has declared Dong Jun, Chinese Minister in charge of Defence. According to the same sources, these are joint anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defence operations, as well as maritime combat exercises. Four Chinese ships, including missile destroyers, are participating in the operation alongside Russian ships. After these exercises, which are scheduled to last three days, the two countries will conduct naval patrols in ‘Pacific waters’. The ties between Moscow and Beijing have strengthened since the start of the war in Ukraine. The bilateral trade have reached record levels in 2024, providing Moscow with an economic lifeline in the face of Western sanctions. Trade between the two countries have reached $245 billion, 66% more than in 2021.
It should be noted that these joint exercises between the two armies have started in 2012. In 2025, they are taking place a few weeks before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China. The Russian president is scheduled to attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, an intergovernmental organisation created in 2001 by China, Russia and four Central Asian states, as well as a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. He will also hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.