China, and Russia Conduct Joint Pacific Naval Patrol

July 15, 2024

Recently, China’s defense ministry revealed that Russian and Chinese naval forces worked together to patrol the northern and western Pacific Ocean. As part of an annual plan to work together on military strategies, this is their fourth joint naval practice. The defense ministry made it clear that the patrols were not aimed at any other country and had nothing to do with the current political situation in the area or around the world.

Background Context and Strategic Alliances

China and Russia’s military, economic, and political ties have been getting stronger over time, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Western countries have criticized China for staying out of the war, even though it says it is neutral. These complaints come from the fact that China keeps giving Russia political and economic support, including trading goods with two uses that could be used for military reasons.

Implications of the China-Russia Alliance

The partnership between China and Russia has big strategic effects, especially when it comes to how they will stand together against NATO, which is led by the US. Although both countries have a tense relationship with NATO, they often work together on military exercises to show off their combined military power and build a feeling of mutual security cooperation.

Recent Developments and Criticisms

Along with the recent patrols, China said it would be holding more naval training with Russia along its southern coast near Zhanjiang. These are called Joint Sea-2024. This came after harsh words from NATO, which called Beijing an important backer of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, and worries from Japan about the growing ties between Beijing and Moscow. China has responded to these criticisms by saying that the drills are part of their plan to protect peace and stability in the area and around the world.

Comparative Military Capabilities

Even though their joint exercises are getting bigger and happening more often, reports from the European Union Institute for Security Studies say that China and Russia’s military operations are not as well integrated and can’t work together as they can with NATO forces.

About China-Russia relations

Historical Fluctuations: China and Russia share a 4,209-kilometer border, and their relationship has changed many times in the past because of global concerns. The Treaty of Nerchinsk (1689) was the first agreement between Russia and China during the Qing Dynasty. Stalin and Mao Zedong’s friendship grew stronger after the Korean War in 1950, but it fell apart quickly during the Sino-Soviet Split in the late 1950s.
Post-Soviet Improvements: After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, ties between China and Russia got better. In 1996, they formed a strategic partnership, and in 2004, they agreed on a border, ending long-running territorial disputes. In the past few years, both countries have done joint military drills and become more aligned against what they see as U.S. global dominance, with a focus on working together in areas like energy, trade, and technology.
Contemporary Cooperation and Challenges: One important project is the Power of Siberia gas pipeline, which began in December 2019. Even though they work together, their alliance has problems, like how to balance China’s growing power with Russia’s long-standing dominance in the area.

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