China and Russia Commence Joint Military Exercises in the South China Sea

The navies of China and Russia have launched joint exercises in the South China Sea called Maritime Interoperability 2024.

This was reported by the Chinese Ministry of Defence.

The number of ships and forces and means involved in the manoeuvres is not yet known, but earlier media reported that two corvettes of the Russian Pacific Fleet had arrived at the Zhanjiang Naval Base in Guangdong Province.

The joint military exercises are divided into three stages. They include a concentration of forces, planning in the harbour and practising tactical coordination on a map, and practical maritime exercises in the South China Sea adjacent to the province on 15-17 July.

"These patrols are not aimed at third parties and have nothing to do with the current international and regional situation," the defence ministry stressed.

During the first phase of the exercise, the ministry said in another statement, Chinese warships and two Russian corvettes conducted their fourth joint maritime patrol in the western and northern Pacific.