China and Russia launched joint naval exercises in the East China Sea on December 21, 2022. Beijing said the drill aims to strengthen the partnership between the two countries. The first joint China-Russia naval exercise was held in 2012.

A detachment of Russia’s Pacific Fleet had left the far eastern port of Vladivostok for the “Maritime Cooperation 2022” exercise with China from December 21 to 27, Sputnik News quoted the Ministry of Defense in Moscow as saying on Monday.

The drills were to strengthen mutual naval cooperation as well as maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, a Ministry statement said.

“The active part of the exercise will include joint missile and artillery firings at air targets, artillery firings at sea targets and the training of joint anti-submarine actions involving the practical use of weapons,” the statement read.

Russia’s Navy will be represented by the Varyag missile cruiser (photo), the Pacific Fleet’s flagship, as well as by the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate and Project 20380 corvettes Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and the Sovershenny.

“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy will send two destroyers, two patrol ships, an integrated supply ship and a diesel submarine to take part in the exercise,” the Russian Defense Ministry added.

The Ministry also said that apart from ships, the drills would also involve naval aircraft and helicopters of the Pacific Fleet and the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

At least nine Chinese navy warships had earlier entered the western Pacific through.

In another development, the Russian Navy will get strategic and multipurpose submarines, ocean-going ships and support ships next year, Navy Commander Nikolay Yevmenov told reporters on Wednesday.

“The goals set for 2023 are likewise extensive and multipronged. Next year the Navy will get more strategic and multipurpose submarines, ocean-going ships and support ships,” he said.

According to the Commander, the Navy accomplished all its missions in 2022. All credit for that goes first of all to the personnel, although the equipment also delivered as it should, Yevmenov said.

"”The personnel showed high professionalism, courage this year, especially when completing the missions of the special military operation,” the Commander said. (TASS; Sputnik; Photo:  Varyag Guided-Missile Cruiser © Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defense Ministry’s Press Office/TASS)