Russian and Chinese warships conduct their first joint patrols in the Pacific
The countries maintain military and diplomatic relations

As the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday, Russian and Chinese warships conducted joint patrols in the western Pacific for the first time last week, which Japan claims to be observing.
Moscow and Beijing, which held maritime cooperation exercises in the Sea of Japan in early October, have maintained closer military and diplomatic ties in recent years, while ties with the West have deteriorated.
The naval maneuvers, which Russian claims took place from Sunday to Saturday, were closely watched by Japan, which reported earlier this week that a group of ten ships from China and Russia passed through the Tsugaru Strait, Japan's main island and the northern island of Hokkaido separates.
"The group of ships crossed Tsugaru Strait for the first time while on patrol," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The strait is considered an international body of water.
"The duties of the patrols were to demonstrate the Russian and Chinese national flags, maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and monitor the maritime economic activities of the two countries," the ministry added.
The Chinese Defense Ministry said on Sunday that the joint exercise aims to "further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia in the new era, improve the joint capacities of both parties and jointly maintain international and regional strategic stability".
A report posted on the ministry's website said the operation was part of the annual collaboration between the two nations and not directed against third parties.
Japanese defense officials said on Sunday that the Russian and Chinese ships had also passed the Osumi Strait off the southern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima, the public broadcaster NHK reported.
Foreign ships are allowed to cross the Osumi and Tsugaru Straits as they are international waterways. However, the Japanese Defense Ministry said it would monitor the two navies and described the recent maneuvers as "unusual," the NHK reported.
Japanese officials were not immediately available for comment.





