China announces joint naval, air drills with Russia

China’s Defense Ministry on Monday announced that joint naval and air drills with Russia starting in September, underscoring the closeness between their militaries. Naval and air forces will take part in the "North-Joint 2024" exercises in the skies and around the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk, off Russia's coast, China's defence ministry said.

This exercise aims to deepen the strategic cooperation level between the two militaries and enhance their ability to jointly deal with security threats, the ministry said. The two sides will send naval fleets to "relevant sea areas of the Pacific Ocean" for a joint maritime patrol, and China will also participate in Russia's "Ocean-2024" strategic exercise, it added.