China and Russia have launched joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan and the Pacific amid growing tensions with the US in the region.
China’s Defense Ministry says the Joint Sea 20-25 wargames kicked off in waters near the Russian port of Vladivostok and will last for three days. Four Chinese ships, including two guided-missile destroyers, are participating in the exercises alongside Russian vessels. The focus will be maritime combat and joint anti-submarine, air defense and anti-missile operations. Russia and China have been holding the annual drills since 20-12. But this year’ drills come amid especially-heightened tensions over the recent US nuclear warning to Russia and Washington’s military tensions with Beijing over a range of issues including Taiwan.