Russia and China have carried out aerial maneuvers in the Pacific area in the midst of a visit by US President Joe Biden to the region.
Nuclear-capable bombers from China and Russia conducted a joint flight over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific on Tuesday, according to China’s Defense Ministry.
The ministry said the patrol is part of the two countries’ “annual military cooperation plan.”
The two countries had previously carried out these types of patrols in 2019, 2020 and 2021, but in the second half of the year.
Russia said the 13-hour flight was carried out “strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law” and was not directed once morest third countries.
However, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi condemned the exercise as “provocative” and “unacceptable”.
He said Tokyo conveyed “its grave concerns” to both Russia and China through diplomatic channels, although neither plane entered the country’s airspace.
The exercises were held as Japan hosted the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a group of countries that includes the United States, Australia, Japan and India.
The Quad, an informal grouping led by Washington, was formed in part to counter Chinese power in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We think that the fact that this action took place during the Quad summit makes it more provocative than in the past,” Kishi said.
Separately, South Korea said it also sent in fighters following at least four Chinese and four Russian fighter jets entered its air defense zone on Tuesday.
Citing a senior US official, the New York Times said that Washington was also following the military exercise.
“We believe that the fact that this action was taken during the Quad summit makes it more provocative than in the past,” he said.
Another US official said the exercise showed that China was continuing military cooperation with Russia in the Indo-Pacific “even as Russia invaded Ukraine,” The Financial Times wrote.
“It also shows that Russia will support China in the East and South China seas,” the official added.
Source: Agencies
