Russia, China to Hold Joint Naval Drills in Sea of Japan

Russia and China will conduct joint naval exercises in the North, China's Defense Ministry said on its website on Saturday.

"Under the annual plan of cooperation between the Armed Forces of Russia and China, the Russian Armed Forces will soon send their Navy and Air Force for participation in the North," the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the Interaction 2023 exercise was organized by the Northern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and will take place in mid-2023 in the Sea of Japan.

The exercise aims to maintain the integrity of strategic sea channels, raise the level of strategic coordination between the Chinese and Russian armed forces, and enhance the ability to maintain regional peace and stability through joint efforts and response to security challenges, according to the statement.