The military alliance between China y Russia reached a new level this Friday with the realization of a joint air patrol about him sea of japana maneuver that increases concern in the West about the growing link between both countries.
The aerial maneuvers were part of “an annual cooperation plan between both armies“, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Chinese regime, which did not offer more details on the matter.
Last September, Beijing and Moscow carried out a series of naval maneuvers joint operations in the Sea of Japan, which according to several analysts reflect the close military cooperation between both regimes, which has increased in recent years.
In July, both armies carried out a joint air patrol using strategic bombers near the American state of Alaskain the North Pacific and the Arctic.
This Friday’s maneuvers are added to a series of dangerous tests that show the growing militarization and alliance between China and Russia, in a context of intensifying tensions with the West.
They also take place in the midst of Western accusations against the Chinese regime, which they blame for supporting the Russian military invasion of Ukraine something Beijing has repeatedly denied.
However, Russia and China agreed in March 2023 to strengthen their military regime in order to “increase mutual trust between its Armed Forces“, as noted by the two countries in a joint statement after a meeting in the Kremlin between the Russian and Chinese presidents, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
Since the beginning of the conflict, China has maintained an ambiguous position on the war in Ukraine, calling for respect for “the territorial integrity of all countries,” and attention to the “legitimate concerns of all countries,” in reference to Russia, with whom it has intensified its ties in recent years.
This approach worries Western countries, which fear that the military union between China and Russia could become a tool of pressure against the democracies of Europe and North America.
He Ministry of Defense Chinese also reported this Thursday about the start of air and naval patrols around a disputed area in the South Sea, specifically near Scarborough Reef.
According to a statement from Chinese Army Southern Theater Commandthese patrols, called “combat readiness patrols“, aim to “resolutely defend” China’s national sovereignty around the island Huangyan Dao.
China’s regime has carried out a series of naval and air patrols throughout November in the region. Scarborough Reef, which China occupied in 2012 after a confrontation with Filipinasis located 240 kilometers (150 mi) west of Luzonthe main island of the Philippines, is almost 900 kilometers from Hainanthe largest Chinese island in the South Sea.
The region has been the scene of frequent clashes between ships from the Philippines and China in the last year, with damages and injuries reported. Tensions rose in November following the signing of two laws in the Philippines that define its territorial waters and establish fixed lanes for foreign ships, prompting China to summon the Philippine ambassador to express its disapproval.
Furthermore, in response to a security agreement signed between the United States and the Philippines, which allows for the sharing of classified information, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense stated: “Forming blocs… will only increase tensions and destabilize the region”. And he added that China will take “all necessary measures” to counter any provocation and safeguard peace in the South Sea.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
