Chinese and Russian military aircraft conducted joint patrols over the Sea of Japan.

Chinese and Russian military forces conducted their ninth joint strategic air patrol over the airspace of the Sea of Japan on Friday.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of China, as conveyed by Ukrinform.

“In accordance with the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries, on November 29, the parties organized and executed the ninth joint strategic air patrol in the designated airspace of the Sea of Japan,” the defense agency noted.

The Chinese side did not disclose details about the maneuvers or the forces and resources utilized by both countries during the operation.

In July, the military forces of China and Russia conducted a joint air patrol involving nuclear strategic bombers near the U.S. state of Alaska in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic, prompting the U.S. and Canada to scramble fighter jets.

China declares neutrality regarding the Russia-Ukraine war; however, since its onset, it has significantly increased its interactions with Russia across all fronts, including a considerable expansion of military cooperation and the number of joint exercises and patrols between the two nations.

As reported by Ukrinform, China insists that its cooperation with Russia is not aimed at any third party and urges the European Union not to impose sanctions on Chinese companies suspected of assisting Russians in developing strike drones for the war against Ukraine.

Photo: Taiwan Defence Ministry