China, Russia start joint naval drills

Chinese and Russian navies kicked off a joint exercise coded “Exercise Joint Sea-2024” at a military port in Zhanjiang in south China’s Guangdong Province.

The exercise, which began in Guangdong province on Sunday and is expected to last until mid-July, aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of the navies in addressing security threats and preserving peace and stability globally and regionally, state broadcaster CCTV reported Saturday, adding it would include anti-missile exercises, sea strikes and air defense.

At the opening ceremony, the director general of the exercise from the Chinese navy said that the mechanism for joint naval exercises and training between the two navies, as well as their capability to conduct joint maritime military operations, has continued to improve.

According to the director general from the Russian side, holding such joint maritime military exercises can enhance the collaboration and professional levels of the two navies and contribute to maintaining maritime and regional security.

Following the ceremony, the naval forces carried out on-map military simulation and tactical coordination exercises.

The exercise is divided into three stages, including the concentration of forces, planning at the harbor, and maritime drills.

(With inputs from Xinhua, AP)