China and Russia start joint drills in Sea of Japan

People take part in a ceremony marking the start of the upcoming Russian-Chinese joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, following the arrival of Chinese military vessels in Vladivostok, Russia, July 31, 2025. - Photo: Russian Defense Ministry/Russia’s Pacific Fleet via Reuters

BEIJING: China and Russia began joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan on Sunday (Aug 3) as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a US-led global order.

Alongside economic and political ties, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years, and their relations have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.