Russia, China Plan Joint Exercises in Pacific, Mediterranean in 2015

amoy

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Russia, China Plan Joint Exercises in Pacific, Mediterranean Next Year

Russia and China decided to hold joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean next year, Sergei Shoigu added.

"We plan to hold another joint naval exercise next spring in the Mediterranean Sea. A joint exercise is also planned in the Pacific Ocean," the Russian defense minister said following talks with Chang Wanquan.

"Our military cooperation has great potential and the Russian side is ready to develop it in a wide range of directions," Shoigu added.

The Russian defense minister recalled that in May Russia and China successfully participated in joint Naval Interaction 2014 exercises, when a squadron of warships from Russia's Pacific Fleet sailed into the East China Sea to perform various training and defense scenarios.

Shoigu also mentioned the Tank Biathlon World Championship and Aviadarts Flight Skills Competition, where Chinese crews were participating, as a "good format for exchanging experience."

In recent years, Russia and China have enjoyed close cooperation in multiple spheres, including military issues. Russia has supplied China with weapons and hardware, such as Su-27 fighter jets, air defense systems and air defense missiles.

Russian and Chinese ground forces are taking part in annual military drills to prepare cooperative responses in case of destabilization in Central Asia.
Russia, China Concerned by US Attempt to Increase Influence in Asia-Pacific / Sputnik international

United we stand! :russia::china:
 

amoy

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Re: Russia, China Plan Joint Exercises in Pacific, Mediterranean in 20

China and Russia push back against the US



PLAN evacuating Chinese nationals from Libya


PLAN escorting for demolition of Syrian chemical weapons

Russia, in the midst of the crisis in Ukraine, is eager to show that it has alternatives to the West and a powerful new ally in China. China also has a strong motivation to push back against America. The Chinese greatly resent America's much-ballyhooed "pivot to Asia" – which includes stationing 60 per cent of the US navy in the Pacific. One of China's weaknesses in the contest with the US for dominance in the Asia-Pacific is that it has few clear allies in the region. By contrast, America has defence treaties with Japan and South Korea, and close ties with several South-East Asian nations. However, by getting closer to the Russians, the Chinese potentially set up a powerful nascent alliance of their own.

It is yet to be seen how much substance there are to these ties. But two of the announcements made by the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, are particularly eye-catching. First, his statement that Russia and China are intent on forming a "collective regional security system" suggests that this is potentially a very ambitious arrangement – that might go far beyond the occasional joint naval exercise. "Collective security" arrangements imply a Nato-like commitment to collective self-defence. Second, the suggestion that China and Russia will hold joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean next year is also slightly mind-boggling. If we see the Chinese navy on patrol in the Med, it really will feel like a new world.

The attractions for the Chinese and Russians of all this – however – are clear. They both deeply resent America's global military reach. The fact that the US navy patrols off the Chinese coast, while Nato-nations are up against the Russian border is a source of grievance. By beginning to hold naval exercises in the West's backyard (although not quite the Caribbean, yet), the Russians and Chinese seem to be engaging in a very deliberate exercise in push-back.

But it is premature to say that a Russia-China bloc is emerging that is now in a full-on confrontation with the West. On the contrary, China seems to be skilfully playing both sides. It is interesting that this tilt to Russia comes just a week after a relatively warm and productive summit between the US and Chinese presidents – that resulted in an important agreement on climate change.

It is clear that Russia and China share some common resentments about the US. Specifically, both feel bitter about America's refusal to grant them dominance of their own neighbourhoods. Both feel internally threatened by US democracy promotion – hence the Russian defence minister's angry references to America's promotion of "colour revolutions". Both nations dislike US interventionism and the idea of a unipolar world, which is why they are spending a lot of money on weapons to try and close the military gap.
 

amoy

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Why Are Chinese Frigates in the Black Sea?

China’s frigates may be in the Black Sea on a mission that’s part symbolism, part marketing.

Marking a new milestone for China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), two guided missile frigates, reportedly the Linyi and the Weifang, entered the Black Sea on Monday. USNI News broke the story, accompanying it with photographs of the Linyi passing through the Bosphorous on May 4. The pair of frigates are en route to Russia’s naval base at Novorossiysk where they will arrive on May 9 and remain until Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Moscow to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The two frigates are in the Black Sea after participating with Russia in the first joint Russia-China naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. (The Linyi, as some Diplomat readers may recall, drew headlines last month after being used to evacuate Chinese and non-Chinese citizens alike from Yemen amid a Saudi-led bombing campaign there.)

The visit of the two frigates could have commercial intentions as well. A report in the Taiwan-based Want China Times last week made the case that the PLAN was using the Mediterranean exercise as an opportunity to show off the ability of its Type 054A Jiangkai II-class frigates for the Russian Navy. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s surface ship-building capability is known to have taken a great hit.

Russia continues to excel in manufacturing submarines, but its lack of similar capacity with its surface vessels may mean that it would look to purchase vessels off-the-shelf from China. The USNI News report highlights one example of the glacial pace at which one Russian warship builder operates: “it took shipbuilder Severnaya Verf in St. Petersburg seven years to for first-in-class Sergei Gorshkov — from keel laying to commissioning — to enter the Russian fleet after a spate of delays.”

For China, securing a sale of its naval hardware would be a coup, possibly signaling an inversion of the traditional vendor-client relationship between the Kremlin and Zhongnanhai that has mostly run in one direction in the past. China’s own naval and broader military modernization has meant that it has developed its domestic defense industry. As Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson noted in The Diplomat, back in 2012, China’s military shipyards are building frequently, building well, and building fast.

If Russia is looking to expand its surface fleet, it might make sense for it to buy from China instead of building at home. Doing so would free up some capacity for use in other Russian projects, including its still-strong submarine building program and its other plans to bolster its military capabilities in the Arctic. When it comes to building surface ships, Russia may have to acknowledge that China has the comparative advantage.

Chinese ships berthing at Novorossiysk




Russian Black Sea fleet








 

Ray

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So, China is extending her 'reach' into the Mediterranean?
 

Ray

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Strategic theatre
Beyond serving narrow economic interests, operations like that in the Gulf of Aden provide an opportunity to demonstrate China's desire to play a greater role on the international stage.

Only last week, Djibouti announced that China was seeking to establish a small base there alongside facilities operated by the US, France and even Japan.

The joint exercise also provides a timely opportunity for Moscow to show off the developing Sino-Russian defence relationship.

At a time when Nato has stepped up a variety of exercises around Russia's periphery as a response to the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine, Russia's own armed forces have increased their activity too.

So this exercise should be seen as a bit of strategic theatre as well, just like the repeated incursions of Russian bombers and submarines into western airspace and waters.

China of course insists that these exercises are not directed against anyone in particular.

And it is clear that while China and Russia's defence relationship is important to both countries, China does not want to get drawn into the so-called "cool war" between Russia and the West.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-32686956
 

amoy

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China, Russia boost ties with naval drill in Mediterranean

"The Mediterranean Sea is an important trade route linking China with Europe. It is alsoone of the key regions of China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. China's regional navalpresence will ensure its maritime safety," Li told the Global Times.

Russia has a regular naval presence in the Black Sea which discharges into theMediterranean Sea. China's navy began expanding its reach toward the Mediterranean in2008, when it first sent ships to join in anti-piracy patrols.

In 2011, China evacuated 35,000 citizens from Libya during its civil war, followed byanother effort in 2013 when it joined Russia in sending warships to Syria to peacefullymonitor developments in the region through waterways close to the Mediterranean Sea.

In April, China dispatched three navy ships from its anti piracy patrols to evacuateChinese citizens and other foreign nationals from fighting in Yemen.

The US has maintained a naval presence in the Mediterranean since the early 19thcentury, and has in recent years considered increasing its military presence in the region.

Su Hao, director of the Asia Pacific Research Center of the China Foreign AffairsUniversity, told the Global Times that since Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Moscow from Friday to Sunday to attend a parade celebrating the end of World WarII, it is important for the two major anti-fascist countries to show unity and reaffirm theirmilitary ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attend China's military parade in September tocommemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War ofResistance against Japanese Aggression as well as in the World Anti-Fascist War, China News Service reported on March 20.

Meanwhile, Estonia kicked off its largest military drill on Monday, involving some 13,000servicemen from NATO nations and their allies, including the US, the UK and Germany,with analysts believing that the drill is targeting Russia.









 

amoy

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China and Russia Conclude Naval Drill in Mediterranean
The joint Sino-Russian maritime exercise included live-fire drills, underway replenishment and escort operations.

“Naval forces of both countries made concerted efforts to explore new formats of joint exercises, and learn valuable experience from each other, which has made the drills a success,” said Du Jingchen, deputy commander of the Navy of the People’s Liberation Army of China and the Chinese task force commander.

The Russian Navy’s deputy commander, Vice Admiral Alexander Fedotenkov, told reporters that the joint-task force accomplished their assignments with “excellent” marks.

“The exercises, held far away from the Russian and Chinese naval bases, showed our readiness to jointly face new threats and challenges at sea, and the ability to safeguard stability practically in any area of the World Ocean,” he said.

Navy Commander Adm. Viktor Chirkov stated in a telegram that he is confident “that Russian-Chinese naval cooperation will continue to promote peace and stability.”

Both navies are currently conducting an after action review, according to Fedotenkov. What are the reasons for the exercise? For one thing, it fits with both nations’ desire to be perceived as global naval powers. The naval drill also signals to the West that the Mediterranean is no longer NATO’s Mare Nostrum as it has been the case for most of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Of course, there are also more practical reasons. “In material terms, the Russian and Chinese navies need to bolster their equipment ‘interoperability’ — their capacity to back up the Sino-Russian partnership’s policies efficiently and effectively,” Jim Holmes emphasized over at Foreign Policy.

Another explanation is China’s growing interest in Africa and the Middle East. Over at USNI News, an analyst also notes that “the Mediterranean constitutes the western end of the ‘New Silk Road,’ the Chinese project to link China with markets and producers across Central Asia and into Europe and the Middle East.” Consequently, this will certainly not have been the last Chinese naval presence in the region.

Rescue operations







 
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amoy

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Chinese warships to arrive in Russia’s Vladivostok for joint naval drills
17 August 2015 TASS
The visit by China’s warships will last until August 28.





Seven Chinese warships will arrive in Vladivostok in the Russian Far East on August 20 to take part in the second stage of the Joint Sea 2015 naval drills in the Sea of Japan, spokesman for Russia’s Eastern Military District Roman Martov said on Monday.

"A group of seven ships from the Chinese Navy led by the frigate Shenyang will arrive in Vladivostok, the main naval base of the Pacific Fleet, on August 20 to take part in the Joint Sea 2015 (II) naval drills. Russia’s Guard Missile Cruiser Varyag will be the host ship for the visit," the spokesman said.

The visit by China’s warships will last until August 28, he said.

"Over this time, the guests will meet with the command of the Pacific Fleet and pay an official visit to the head of the city’s administration. The program envisages sports competitions and unofficial meetings of sailors from the navies of both countries," the spokesman said.

Russia and China held the first stage of the Joint Sea naval drills in the Mediterranean Sea in mid-May. The drills involved about ten warships from the Russian and Chinese navies.









 

amoy

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Navy completes joint beach drill

Chinese infantry combat vehicles in Russian-Chinese military drill

 The Chinese Navy completed its first overseas joint beach landing drill on Tuesday as part of an ongoing marine exercise with Russia.

  The drill took place in waters off Russia's Clerk Cape as part of the ongoing Joint Sea-2015 (II) exercise between the two countries from Aug 20 to 28.

  The two navies deployed amphibious equipment and more than 400 marines, who landed on a beach using various methods, including parachuting and descending by rope from helicopters, as well as using amphibious armored vehicles and landing ships.

  "For the first time, we shipped tanks and armored vehicles, and landed soldiers directly into an overseas drill area after a long-distance voyage," said Liang Yang, assistant to the Chinese director of the drill.

  "Such a drill will fully test the performance of our weapons in terms of adaptability to local weather and topographical conditions."

  More than 100 Chinese marines were transported directly onto the beach in 14 amphibious armored vehicles, which were unloaded from the Chinese landing ship Changbaishan, anchored more than 1 kilometer off the beach.

  "This type of dry landing, which involves putting soldiers ashore without the need for wading, as they did previously, meets both our tactical demands and requirements for real-battle landing," Liang said.

  Another 24 Chinese marines landed by helicopter fast rope, while the Chinese landing vessel Yunwushan deployed six armored vehicles and 26 marines directly onto the beach.

  The Chinese air force also took part in the drill with two J-10 and two JH-7A fighters, which took off from an airport in China and flew across Russian airspace before arriving at the drill area.
 

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China, Russia to hold drill in South China Sea: Beijing
Thu Jul 28, 2016 10:2AM

Chinese Navy ships pass through the Tsushima Strait to the Sea of Japan for joint drills with Russia, July 3, 2013. (File photo)\

China and Russia will conduct a joint naval drill in the South China Sea in September, a senior Chinese military official says.


Yang Yujun, the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, made the announcement on Thursday, saying the exercises will be carried out in the “relevant sea and air of the South China Sea.”

He added that the joint drill is “routine” and “does not target any third party.”

The South China Sea is the subject of a territorial dispute between China and several regional countries.

Recently, a Hague-based court of arbitration ruled that China’s claim of sovereignty over disputed areas in the sea or its resources had no legal basis. The case had been filed by the Philippines, whose economic and sovereign rights, according to the court, have been violated by Beijing.

China has dismissed the ruling, saying it does not recognize the tribunal’s arbitration in the dispute.


This aerial image taken from a C-130 transport plane shows a general view of Taiping Island during a visit by journalists to the island, in the disputed South China Sea, March 23, 2016. (BY AFP)

China and Russia have increased their military training cooperation in recent years. The two countries have been holding naval drills in the Pacific waters since 2012.

The United States, too, has moved to step up its military cooperation with allies in the region.

The presence of the US in the region has upset regional powers China and Russia, which say such extra-regional presence serves to inflame tensions among countries.

In the disputes revolving around the South China Sea, the US has sided with China’s rival claimants.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, which is also claimed in part by Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. The contested waters are rich in oil and gas.


Russia's Varag
 

amoy

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China-Russia naval drill ends with island-seizing mission
Updated: 2016-09-19 08:21

The Chinese and Russian navies stage a mission to seize an island on Sunday, marking the end of the two countries' joint drill this year.[Photo by GAN JUN/CHINA DAILY]

The Chinese and Russian navies staged a mission to seize an island on Sunday as part of an eight-day exercise in the South China Sea.

As the key element of the annual drill, the navies dispatched warships, marine forces, helicopters and amphibious armored equipment for the mission.

The exercise demonstrated the Chinese and Russian navies' capacities in command management, telecommunications coordination, and intelligence and information sharing, said Senior Captain Li Xiangdong, who commanded the Chinese warships.

The mission marked the end of the China-Russia Joint Sea 2016 drill, which started on Sept 12 in eastern waters off Zhanjiang, the southernmost city in Guangdong province and the base of the Nanhai Fleet. A closing ceremony was to be held on Monday.

Compared with previous years, the 2016 drill focused more on confrontational capacity such as surface warships, submarines and land-based defenses, Li said, adding that the use of an advanced command system made communication between the two navies smoother.

It was also the first time the China-Russia joint exercise had been held in the South China Sea.


Chinese and Russian navies hold live artillery drill on Sunday.[Photo/Xinhua]


Rear Admiral Yu Manjiang, vice-commander of the Nanhai Fleet and commander of the joint exercise, said the sea was a natural choice for the drill as the two countries have already held exercises in China's other waters.

"Some people and countries are pointing fingers at this (joint drill), but this is not necessary at all," he said, adding that it is an annual drill that does not target a third party.

A. Maxim, a lieutenant captain with the Russian navy's marine force, said the exercise had promoted mutual understanding between the two navies.

Ten Chinese ships-destroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarines-took part in the drill as well as 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters and 160 marines.

Also involved were Russia's large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Vinogradov, the large amphibious ship Peresvet, the sea towboat Alatau and the tanker Pechenga.

Captain Sun Hao, who was in charge of the island-seizing mission, said the marine forces of both sides could understand each other despite the language barrier.

"I noticed that during the exercise that soldiers from the two countries could communicate with body language, simple English and even eye contact," he said.

Roman Kosarev, a journalist for Russia Today who covered the drill, agreed with Sun and added: "Increasingly, language has not been a problem."





Chinese and Russian navies hold live artillery drill on Sunday.[Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese and Russian navies stage a mission to seize an island on Sunday, marking the end of the two countries' joint drill this year.[Photo by GAN JUN/CHINA DAILY]








 

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