Chinese Warships Leave for Sea of Japan for Joint Drills with Russian Federation

The Chinese Navy contended in an official blog post that the Tsushima Strait, which cuts between the island of Kyushu and Japan’s Tsushima Island, constitutes worldwide waters open to the vessels or aircraft of any country.

“A source close to the operation said navies of the two countries will join forces to simulate anti-submarine combat and air defense and other relevant missions”.

“We also expressed concern over U.S. attempts to strengthen its military and political clout in the [Asia-Pacific Region]”.

The naval exercise will take place in the Sea of Japan and is an extension of Joint Sea-2015 (I), which was the naval drills held by the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea back in May.

The main declared task of the drills will be practicing protection of naval communications, anti-submarine training, air defense exercise and anti-ship actions.

The presence of the 200 marines, which each side will field, underscores the decision by the two forces to stage a joint beach landing, an intent that has grabbed attention on account of several island disputes in the Pacific. They will arrive at the Russian port of Vladivostok on August. 20 where the two navies will hold cultural and sporting activities.

Taizhou, a destroyer from Chinese Navy, sets out for the Sea of Japan, also known as East Sea, on August 15, 2015, to join Russian counterparts for a 9-day naval exercise.

In late July, Russian Federation released a revised naval doctrine that named China the Kremlin’s core partner in the Pacific, which was widely interpreted in the West as the beginning of joint efforts to counter the Japan backed “Asia Pivot” doctrine of the U.S.

At the same time, tensions between Russian Federation and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which includes the United States, in Europe have been getting tight.

China’s official mouthpiece, Xinhua News, reported Saturday that in addition to the seven vessels, six helicopters, five fix-wing aircraft, 21 amphibious landing vehicles and 200 members of the Marine Corps, are taking part in the exercise, the second of its kind this year.

Furthermore, Russian Federation and Japan have recently started a new round of war of words regarding the status of Kuril Islands in the Pacific.

The visit by China’s warships will last until August 28, he said.