China and Russia have completed naval exercises in the South China Sea, including live firing drills. The joint exercise, “Maritime Cooperation – 2024,” involved air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and artillery firing. The seven warships from both navies aimed to address maritime security threats.
The exercises followed a joint naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean, showing increased cooperation between the two countries. The Chinese Ministry of Defense emphasized that the activities were not directed against any third party.
However, concerns have been raised about China supplying dual-use components to Russia. NATO accuses China of not remaining neutral and providing assistance to the Kremlin. The US government also noted strong trade ties between the two countries during the Russian invasion.
Furthermore, China and Russia are collaborating on developing an analog of the Iranian Shahed UAV for potential use in conflicts like the war in Ukraine. While Chinese drones are not yet deployed in Ukraine, the joint efforts indicate a deepening relationship between the two countries.