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BEIJING (Reuters) – Two Russian navy ships visit China as the two countries reaffirm their military ties amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The two Cold War-era frigates, the Gromky and Outlychny, arrived in the financial hub of Shanghai, China’s largest city and largest port, on Wednesday for a seven-day visit.
After calling in to port, the ships will conduct joint exercises with their Chinese counterparts focusing on ship-to-ship communications, maneuvering in formation and maritime search and rescue, state TV’s Military Channel reported Thursday.
The visit follows a meeting held Monday in Beijing between the Chinese defense minister and the commander of the Russian navy, the first official military talks between the two friendly neighbors since a short-lived rebellion by the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
China has assured Russia of its continued support since the uprising, and National Defense Minister Li Shangfu told Russian Admiral Nikolai Yevminov that China hopes to increase exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of cooperation to help defense relations “reach a new level.” said the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
“The Chinese and Russian navies have close exchanges and frequent interactions,” the ministry quoted Li as saying. “It is hoped that the two sides will strengthen contacts at all levels and regularly organize joint exercises, joint patrols and joint war games,” he added.
China operates the world’s largest navy in terms of the number of hulls and vastly outnumbers the Russian navy in terms of size and technical ability. The navies of the two countries have conducted a series of joint exercises and maneuvers since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, as have the air forces.
In February, Russia and China joined the South African navy to conduct exercises off the African coast in what the South African opposition described as an endorsement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Military cooperation embodies the informal alliance between the Chinese and Russian governments. They also coordinate their foreign policies and positions at the United Nations, with Beijing constantly providing diplomatic cover for Moscow.
And while China has said it is neutral in the Ukraine war, it has stood firmly on Russia’s side, accusing the United States and NATO of provoking Moscow and fueling the bloodshed by helping to arm Ukraine.
Despite this, China has repeatedly said that it will not provide weapons to either side in the conflict and will pay close attention to the export of “dual-use” items that can be adapted for military purposes.
After calling in to port, the ships will conduct joint exercises with their Chinese counterparts focusing on ship-to-ship communications, maneuvering in formation and maritime search and rescue, state TV’s Military Channel reported Thursday.
The visit follows a meeting held Monday in Beijing between the Chinese defense minister and the commander of the Russian navy, the first official military talks between the two friendly neighbors since a short-lived rebellion by the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
China has assured Russia of its continued support since the uprising, and National Defense Minister Li Shangfu told Russian Admiral Nikolai Yevminov that China hopes to increase exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of cooperation to help defense relations “reach a new level.” said the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
“The Chinese and Russian navies have close exchanges and frequent interactions,” the ministry quoted Li as saying. “It is hoped that the two sides will strengthen contacts at all levels and regularly organize joint exercises, joint patrols and joint war games,” he added.
China operates the world’s largest navy in terms of the number of hulls and vastly outnumbers the Russian navy in terms of size and technical ability. The navies of the two countries have conducted a series of joint exercises and maneuvers since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, as have the air forces.
In February, Russia and China joined the South African navy to conduct exercises off the African coast in what the South African opposition described as an endorsement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Military cooperation embodies the informal alliance between the Chinese and Russian governments. They also coordinate their foreign policies and positions at the United Nations, with Beijing constantly providing diplomatic cover for Moscow.
And while China has said it is neutral in the Ukraine war, it has stood firmly on Russia’s side, accusing the United States and NATO of provoking Moscow and fueling the bloodshed by helping to arm Ukraine.
Despite this, China has repeatedly said that it will not provide weapons to either side in the conflict and will pay close attention to the export of “dual-use” items that can be adapted for military purposes.
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