Russia and China Warships Hold First Joint Patrols in Pacific

Russian and Chinese warships conducted their first joint patrols in the Pacific Ocean from October 17 to October 23, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

The tasks of the patrol were “to demonstrate the state flags of Russia and China, maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as protecting the objects of maritime economic activity of the two countries,” the ministry’s statement said.

The patrol was made up of a joint detachment of 10 ships and covered over 1,700 nautical miles, according to the ministry.

Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki told reporters on October 19 that the country was “watching with great interest the activities of Chinese and Russian warships around Japan.”

The Russian Ministry of Defense posted a video of the joint exercise. Credit: Ministry of Defense of Russia via Storyful