DistantNews
Support us
China and Russia Hold Live-Fire Drills in Japanese Waters
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Conflict & Security

China and Russia Hold Live-Fire Drills in Japanese Waters

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • China and Russia conducted live-fire drills in Japan's exclusive economic zone, prompting a response from Tokyo.
  • This marks the first time Japan's Defense Ministry has publicly reported such exercises by China in its EEZ.
  • The drills highlight deepening military cooperation between China and Russia and occur amid heightened regional tensions.

Japan's Defense Ministry reported that Chinese and Russian naval forces conducted live-fire drills within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), signaling an increase in military collaboration between Beijing and Moscow. The incident, observed on Sunday, was the first time Japan's Defense Ministry publicly acknowledged Chinese exercises involving live firing within its EEZ.

We view these exercises as part of efforts by the militaries of both countries to strengthen cooperation.

— Minoru Kihara, Chief Government Spokesman of JapanKihara stated Japan's interpretation of the joint drills conducted by China and Russia in its exclusive economic zone.

"We view these exercises as part of efforts by the militaries of both countries to strengthen cooperation," stated Chief Government Spokesman Minoru Kihara at a press conference on Tuesday. The drills involved a Chinese Type 052D destroyer, the Luyang III, and a Russian frigate. Officials noted that three Chinese ships and one Russian naval vessel were first spotted around 2:00 AM on Sunday, 330 kilometers southwest of Japan's southernmost Okinotori island, heading northeast.

Japan has communicated its concerns to Beijing through diplomatic channels, emphasizing that the exercises "could have endangered the safety of nearby vessels," according to Kihara. This event follows a pattern of increased joint military activities between China and Russia, including joint bomber flights over waters near Japan last month and naval exercises earlier this month. The live-fire drills prompted Tokyo to mobilize its air and maritime forces to monitor and control the situation.

We will continue to closely monitor the behavior of Chinese and Russian ships in the waters surrounding our country.

— Minoru Kihara, Chief Government Spokesman of JapanKihara assured that Japan will maintain vigilance over the activities of Chinese and Russian vessels in its surrounding waters.

"We will continue to closely monitor the behavior of Chinese and Russian ships in the waters surrounding our country," Kihara added. The drills also occur against a backdrop of existing regional friction, including a recent confrontation between Japanese and Chinese coast guard vessels near disputed islands, which Japan calls Senkaku and China calls Diaoyu. These islands have been a source of diplomatic tension for decades.

could have endangered the safety of nearby vessels

— Minoru Kihara, Chief Government Spokesman of JapanKihara conveyed Japan's diplomatic message to Beijing, highlighting the potential safety risks posed by the exercises.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog