Russia, China conduct first-ever 'Maritime Interaction-2021' in Pacific Ocean

Chinese and Russian navies held ir first-ever maritime patrol 'Maritime Interaction-2021' in Western Pacific waters as two countries sent a total of 10 warships under Russian Pacific Fleet and six carrier-based helicopters for military exercise in Sea of Japan, and East China Sea between October 17-23, defence ministry for both Russia and China said in separate statements on Friday.

Russia, China conduct Joint Naval Patrol 

naval cooperation drills strictly abided by international laws and did not enter sovereign territorial waters of or nations, China’s defence ministry stated.

“This operation is part of annual cooperation plan between Chinese and Russian armed forces and is not targeted at third parties,” it ded. 

[Credit: Russian Defence Ministry]

" warships of Russian Navy and Chinese naval forces conducted first patrol in western Pacific Ocean from October 17-23," Russian defense ministry said in a statement.

“This joint maritime cruise aims to furr develop China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in new era, enhance joint action capabilities of both parties, and jointly maintain international and regional strategic stability,” China stated in a release.

joint military exercise involved tactical naval manoeuvring, anti-mine support of detachments, as well as conducted artillery fire at sea targets, with actual use of weaponry as warships from navies of both countries sailed through Tsugaru Strait separating Japan's main island and its norrn island of Hokkaido. Japan strictly watched military actions of Russia and China which, as per experts, was aimed to counter influence of United States. ” group of ships passed through Tsugaru Strait for first time as part of patrol," Russia's defence ministry said in statement. 

Furrmore, Russian ministry ded, that “tasks of patrols were demonstration of Russian and Chinese state flags, maintaining of peace and stability in Asia-Pacific region, and guardianship of subjects of maritime economic activities of two countries.” 

Russia 'greater threat' than China, says US

United States h earlier stated that Russia is source of a bigger security threat for Washington and Europe, inste of China. US under Secretary of Defence for Policy Colin Kahl said at Lithuania-hosted Baltic Military Conference on Friday that Russia may actually represent primary security challenge and ded that country is facing in military domain and “certainly for Europe.” As per official release by US Department of defence of  Pentagon, US stressed that Russia is an “increasingly assertive versary.”

Notably, Kahl said that China might be, in fact, just ' pacing threat.'  US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy said, "Russia erodes transparency and predictability, uses military force to achieve its goals, supports proxy groups to sow chaos and doubt, undermines rules-based international order through cyber and international activities and violates sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours.”

(Inputs from ANI)

(Image: Twitter/@mod_russia)