The 32 NATO countries continued to force China and Russia to cut off contact, and as soon as the words fell, the People's Liberation Army 055 drove north to the Sea of Japan. The heavy naval exercises of China and Russia have officially begun, what did NATO say this time? What is the significance of China and Russia choosing this time for military exercises?
Since the outbreak Russia of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the 32 NATO countries led by United States have tried all kinds of ways to force China and Russia to break off ties in the economic and trade fields. On the 6th, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg once again shook the pot in his speech in Oslo, Norway, calling on China to "stop supporting" Russia on the issue of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and claiming that China has maintained an "unrestricted partnership" with the Russia defense industrial base and provided it with support for dual-use materials including weapons, components, equipment and raw materials.
In addition, he threatened the Chinese side, declaring that "if China continues to 'promote' Russia, 'China's interests and reputation will be affected.'" China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides has its own internal logic and strong resilience, which is in the interests of both countries. In addition, the normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Russia should not be disrupted and undermined, let alone become a tool to smear and contain China, and China is not the maker of the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party concerned, and will never accept smear pressure and blame.
NATO has repeatedly used various occasions to smear and attack China, exaggerate the "China threat theory", incite anti-China sentiment against China, and hype up the so-called "China's aid to Russia" argument. In order to cooperate with the so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy" of the United States Biden administration, it has continuously deployed military forces to the Asia-Pacific region in a vain attempt to stir up stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, the Italy aircraft carrier "Cavour" had docked at the Yokosuka base in Japan. Not long ago, the United Kingdom Defense Secretary announced that in 2025, the British aircraft carrier "Prince of Wales" will be deployed in the "Indo-Pacific". France said it would send the USS Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier battle group to the Pacific. In addition, NATO members such as Germany and Netherlands also plan to deploy warships to the region. It can be said that a "dark war" without the smoke of gunpowder has already begun in the Asia-Pacific region. Since NATO is trying to force China and Russia to sever ties while stirring up trouble at China's doorstep, China will certainly not sit idly by and will definitely counterattack.
Not long after Stoltenberg's words fell, the PLA's 055 drive was dispatched. According to China's Ministry of National Defense, in September, Russia will participate in the "Northern Joint-2024" joint exercise hosted by China in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, and the two sides will also go to the Pacific Ocean for their fifth joint strategic cruise. In response, the Chinese side will also participate in the joint exercise "Ocean-2024" hosted by the Russian side. At 8 o'clock on the 8th, the Chinese command personnel and some support personnel participating in the "Northern · Joint-2024" exercise flew to Knevichi Airport in Russia on a Y-20 transport plane. The air forces of China and Russia participating in the exercise are composed of multiple types of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including China's Air Police-500, J-16, J-10, and Z-20, as well as Russia's Il-38, Su-30, and MiG-31.
Immediately afterwards, at about 16 o'clock on the 9th, the formation of Chinese participating ships of the "Northern · United-2024" arrived in the predetermined sea area and joined the Russian naval forces. The Chinese maritime forces participating in the exercise consisted of the missile destroyer Xining, the 055 Daqi Wuxi, the missile frigate Linyi, the comprehensive supply ship Taihu, and three carrier-based helicopters.
Regarding the heavy military exercise between the Chinese and Russian navies, the report clearly pointed out that the exercise aims to deepen the level of strategic cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries and enhance the ability to jointly respond to security threats. It is undeniable that for China and Russia, the direction of the Sea of Japan is related to the common strategic security channel, which is nothing more than the Soya Strait, the Tsushima Strait, and the Tsugaru Strait. Since the purpose of the joint exercise mentions "enhancing the ability to jointly respond to security threats," it can be seen that its deterrent meaning is self-evident. Especially in the current special period when NATO's black hand is constantly extending into the Asia-Pacific region, such actions by the Chinese and Russian navies are even more indispensable.