China Defence Ministry Speaks Of More Joint Military Exercises

MNI (London) - Wires reporting comments from the Chinese Defence Ministry stating that the Chinese military is 'Willing to work together with [the] Russian military to strengthen strategic communication and coordination." The comments could be seen as a further sign of an increasingly aligned vision between Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin looking to establish a counterbalance to the US and foster a 'multipolar world'.

• The Ministry states that the two countries will look "To work together to implement global security initiatives. To further deepen military mutual trust. To jointly safeguard international fairness and justice. To continue to make new contributions to maintaining international, regional security, [and[ stability. To further organise joint maritime, air patrols, and joint exercises."
• Chinese and Russian navies held drills as recently as mid-March, alongside those of Iran, in mid-March while also holding maritime drills with South Africa in mid-Feb. The two nations held mass air, land and sea-based exercises in September 2022, the first time China had sent troops from all three branches of the military to Russian drills.
• An increase in the frequency and size of Russia-Chinese military drills will raise the concern of the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific as to the future military intentions of both nations, with Beijing and Moscow engaged in disputes over territory in the region with US-aligned nations.