China, Russia conclude naval exercise, conduct first joint patrols

The recent naval exercise and joint patrol operations by the Chinese and Russian navies have improved their ability to handle marine threats and safeguard regional peace and stability according to a military spokesman.

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, said at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday afternoon that the Joint Sea-2021 exercise and subsequent patrol were undertaken as part of an annual cooperation plan between Chinese and Russian armed forces, and did not target any third party.

The exercises highlighted the use of advanced hardware by both sides and realistic combat scenarios that were more intense than previous joint drills.

Officers on both sides honed and improved cooperation and coordination through the operations, Tan said, noting that the patrols conducted after the exercise were the first of their kind between the Chinese and Russian navies.

Joint Sea-2021 started on Oct 14 and concluded on Oct 17, after which ships from both countries carried out joint patrols in the Sea of Japan, the western Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea that ended on Oct 23.

A total of 10 destroyers, frigates and supply vessels, as well as several aircraft took part in the exercises.

This was the first time the Chinese navy sent its Type 055 Destroyer, the most powerful destroyer class in its arsenal, to participate in a joint mission with a foreign navy. With a displacement of more than 12,000 metric tons, this Type 055 is equipped with new forms of air and missile defense, as well as anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.

Joint Sea-2021 was the 10th of its kind by the Chinese and Russian navies, which began conducting joint naval drills in 2012.