Other countries involved
China takes part in Russian military maneuvers

08/19/2022, 11:30am (updated)

Together with countries such as India and Belarus, China announced its participation in joint military exercises in Russia. It “has nothing to do with the current situation,” he said. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Beijing and Moscow had promised each other an “unlimited” partnership.

Chinese troops will take part in joint military exercises in Russia at the end of August. This was announced by the Chinese Ministry of Defense. India, Belarus, Mongolia, Tajikistan and other countries are also said to be involved in the maneuver.

China’s participation in the joint exercises “has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation,” the ministry said in a statement, alluding to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and Western sanctions against Russia. The Russian government has announced the “Vostok” maneuver from August 30 to September 5 in July. China’s Defense Ministry said the participation was part of the ongoing bilateral cooperation agreement with Russia.

Under Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Beijing and Moscow have grown closer. In August 2021, Russia and China held a joint military exercise in north-central China, which was attended by more than 10,000 troops.

Then in October, Russia and China held joint naval maneuvers in the Sea of ​​Japan. Days later, Russian and Chinese warships conducted their first joint patrol of the western Pacific. Shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Beijing and Moscow announced an “unlimited” partnership.

(This article first appeared on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.)