China-Russia maritime joint patrol ends after Pacific mission

A China-Russia maritime joint patrol concluded on Wednesday as the naval formation arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, according to a Xinhua report.

The joint patrol was part of the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries. It was aimed at enhancing the two sides' joint operational capabilities and jointly addressing maritime security threats. The operation was not related to the current international or regional situation, the report said.

The formation comprised the Chinese Navy's guided missile destroyers Kaifeng and Anshan, the comprehensive supply ship Kekexilihu, and the Russian Navy's frigate Ryzhi.

The fleet set sail from Qingdao, Shandong province, on July 13 and conducted joint patrols in the western Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan after transiting the Miyako Strait, the Etorofu Strait, also known as the Vries Strait, and the Soya Strait, also known as the La Perouse Strait.

During the patrol, the two sides carried out a series of joint drills, including helicopter cross-deck landing exercises, joint counterterrorism operations, humanitarian rescue missions, and maritime inspection and capture exercises.

Chinese naval vessels also conducted multiple combat-oriented training exercises under simulated real-time maritime and aerial scenarios, according to the report.