Two major global powers, China and Russia, have once again joined forces. Their navies began combined drills in the Sea of Japan. This exercise clearly shows their military ties are growing stronger. It also comes as both nations face ongoing tensions with the United States.
Japan’s NHK news agency reported on August 3, 2025, that these naval exercises had officially started. They followed map-based training held just last Friday. These joint drills have become a regular yearly event for both countries, occurring consistently over recent years.
The naval ships taking part in the maneuvers are quite impressive. China has sent its guided-missile destroyers. Russia is contributing large anti-submarine cruisers. On the first day of the training, crews from both sides worked to confirm their communication lines. This took place in the waters close to Vladivostok, a port city in Russia’s far east.
The joint drills are set to run until Tuesday. They will cover important training areas like anti-submarine warfare and air defense. Official Chinese media sources have added another layer to these exercises. They reported that China and Russia will conduct joint naval patrols in the Pacific Ocean. These patrols will happen right after the current drills in the Sea of Japan conclude.
These large-scale military exercises are not happening in a vacuum. They follow a significant meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders met in Moscow this past May. During their talks, they agreed to increase both the size and the reach of future joint military drills. Their goal is to deepen cooperation between their armed forces even further.