On October 23, the first joint maritime cruise of the Chinese and Russian navies was successfully concluded, and the two warship formations held a ceremony to separate the voyages in the eastern waters of the East China Sea. After the sino-Russian "Maritime Joint-2021" military exercise, the cruise was successfully organized and implemented by a joint formation of 10 ships and 6 carrier-based helicopters of the Chinese and Russian navies in the seas of Japan, the western Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea. This joint cruise can be said to have attracted much attention, especially japan's "facing a great enemy" and strengthening its vigilance. So, what is the significance of the first Sino-Russian joint maritime cruise? Why have some countries reacted so strongly? Please pay attention to the "National Defense Time and Space" - South Military Forum.
On October 18, local time, The Formation of Chinese and Russian Ships Passed through the Tsugaru Strait (Photo by Wang Ruitao)
Zhou Yuting:
From October 17 to 23, the Chinese and Russian navies formed a joint formation from the waters of Peter the Great Bay in Russia, crossed the Sea of Japan, entered the western Pacific Ocean through the Tsugaru Strait, crossed the Osumi Strait and arrived in the East China Sea, completing the first joint sea cruise. According to reports, during the Sino-Russian joint maritime cruise, foreign ships and aircraft followed the formation and collected intelligence. In accordance with relevant international law, the Chinese ships shouted warnings to them, demanding that the other side maintain a safe distance and not interfere with the normal navigation of the formation. Professor Yinan, what do you think is the significance of the first sino-Russian joint maritime cruise that will attract so much attention?
Jin Yinan: In recent years, the Chinese and Russian armies have conducted many joint military exercises. But the first joint maritime cruise is a breakthrough in maritime military cooperation between the two countries. Cruise is not the same as the exercise, the maritime exercise is a specific area, for a specific target, such as anti-submarine, maritime search and rescue, or anti-piracy, etc., the conventional combat exercise. And joint cruise at sea? It is within a relatively large scope, beyond the geographical scope of the exercise to declare the military presence of both sides. The greater significance of sino-Russian joint maritime cruises is to show that the military cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries has been deepened, and the scope of activities of the two militaries is constantly expanding. Therefore, the attention paid by overseas media to the Sino-Russian joint maritime cruise even exceeded the attention paid to the Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise.
On October 17, local time, Chinese and Russian warship formations are crossing the Sea of Japan (Photo by Wang Ruitao)
Yes, we see that Japan in particular is particularly concerned about the Sino-Russian joint maritime cruise. On October 24, Japanese media reported that "the Chinese and Russian navies circled the Japanese archipelago, which is an unprecedented provocation." What do you think about that?
Kim Il-nam: Personally, I think that the Japanese media has obviously made some over-interpretations, saying that Japan is "like a great enemy.". Why is it that Japan and the United States can carry out joint cruises, but they are not accustomed to joint cruises between China and Russia? In fact, what the Japanese side should focus on is how to ease relations and do a good job with the two major powers, China and Russia. Now, Japan's territory is dotted with U.S. military bases, posing a great military threat to both Russia and China. Some in Japan can imagine whether any country can remain indifferent and stand idly by if its sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened. Japan should slowly adapt to the Sino-Russian action, and the Sino-Russian joint maritime cruise is only a very mild declaration. Don't think that the Sea of Japan is the sea of the Japanese, don't think that the Pacific Ocean is the ocean of the Americans, they are all international public seas, and warships of any country can come. Since the United States and Japan can cruise jointly, the Chinese and Russian maritime forces can also cruise jointly.
On the map, China and Russia are two neighbors across the sea from Japan. At present, Japan is full of US naval bases, air bases and land bases. The United States is also preparing to deploy anti-missile systems in Japan to counter the so-called "threat" posed by Chinese and Russian missiles to the United States. Japan has become a forward position for the US military. Since Japan is already a military forward position of the United States, the joint patrol of the warships of other countries in international waters is entirely legitimate, and it is an operation to maintain their own security. Therefore, instead of complaining, Japan should review its own national policy and see whether its national policy will bring more security to Japan or more insecurity.
On October 19, the Chinese and Russian warship formations fired live rocket depth bombs in the western Pacific Ocean (Photo by Liu Meng)
In recent years, the Japanese government's "right-wing" tendency has become more and more obvious. After The new Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio came to power, while pointing fingers at China, he also played a trick on Russia, and forcefully declared that "only after taking back the northern territories can Japan sign a peace treaty with Russia." At the same time, the collusion and alliance between Japan and the United States has caused increasing tension in the region. In this context, in the face of the Sino-Russian joint maritime cruise with the main purpose of further developing the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era, enhancing the joint action capabilities of the two sides, and jointly safeguarding international and regional strategic stability, Japan should not be a thief and a weak heart, it is better to review its own wolf into the house.
Jin Yinan: That's right. We have an old saying in China that "you can't fight with your neighbors," that is, you can't treat your neighbors as opponents, and you can't dig deep trenches to defend your neighbors. If Japan insists on making enemies of China and Russia and treats its neighbor as its enemy, it will ultimately be Japan itself that will be uncomfortable. In recent years, some Japanese politicians, from Shinzo Abe to Fumio Kishida, have formulated various policies for Japan, how to guard against China, how to guard against Russia, and how to be close to the United States. But I think that with the passage of time, with the changes in the situation in the entire Asia-Pacific region, with the growing strength of China, with the rejuvenation of Russia, I hope that Japanese politicians will correctly understand in the future what kind of choice is the choice that Japan can achieve to maximize its interests, and whether it is to be tied to the United States and be the "pawn" of the United States. Or is it the most effective way to safeguard Japan's interests by taking a relatively neutral stance? In fact, Japan simply cannot rely on the United States to compete with China and Russia, which will be the conclusion that will become clearer and clearer as history develops.
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency reported on October 25, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said that the United States has no objection to the recent Sino-Russian joint military exercises held in the Indo-Pacific region. That being said, during the Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise, the United States sent destroyers near the area of the exercise to try to spy on reconnaissance. Not only that, but U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden, has gone around declaring that "Russia should be wary of its new partners." Professor Yinan, how do you view the contradictory words and deeds of the United States and the sowing of discord in Sino-Russian relations?
Jin Yinan: For a long time, the United States has often formed gangs to engage in joint maritime operations, such as the Rim of the Pacific military exercise, which is so large, and the joint maritime operations held by the United States and Australia. Recently, the United States has launched joint operations with British aircraft carriers in the South China Sea. The United States often engages in joint military operations, but China and Russia have just conducted a joint cruise at sea. In terms of international public opinion, the United States does not allow China and Russia to conduct joint military exercises and does not allow Sino-Russian joint cruises, which is simply untenable, and it is also unreasonable in international law, and it cannot be stopped. For its part, the United States is very keen to break between China and Russia, telling the Chinese side how Russia has invaded and occupied China's territory and how China's development has posed a new threat to Russia. According to media reports, once an Associated Press reporter asked Russian President Putin that China already has two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, and Russia has only one aircraft carrier, and this aircraft carrier is still being repaired in the factory. How did Putin answer? Putin said that you have 11 aircraft carriers in the United States, and you have repeatedly declared Russia to be your enemy. China has two aircraft carriers, and China has never said that Russia is An enemy of China. Russia and China have reached a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, who do you say is my opponent? Who is my enemy? Obviously, President Putin's conclusion is very clear. So, the United States is doing this purely useless work. What is its purpose in single-mindedly provoking Sino-Russian relations? It is neither for the good of China nor for the good of Russia, but for the sake of maximizing the interests of the United States and provoking a struggle between China and Russia. If people open the world map, they will see that China and Russia cross the Eurasian continent, and think of China and Russia joining forces. In this regard, the United States and the entire Western society feel that this is their nightmare of not being able to sleep at night. Therefore, they are desperately trying to divide the relations between China and Russia.
On October 15, local time, during the Sino-Russian "Maritime Joint-2021" exercise, the Nanchang warship and the Russian large anti-submarine ship jointly maneuvered (Wang You photo)
We have seen that in recent years, there have been many new changes in the organizational model and topic setting of the Sino-Russian joint exercise, including the selection of the sea area for the exercise and the number of troops participating in the exercise. However, the purpose of the Sino-Russian joint exercise has always remained unchanged, that is, to safeguard regional security and safeguard world peace. Moreover, through repeated joint military exercises, the ability of the Chinese and Russian navies to jointly deal with maritime security threats has also been effectively enhanced.
Jin Yinan: We are pleased to see that although China and Russia do not have a military alliance, they are not allies but are better than allies. At present, the joint operations of China and Russia already have a joint cruise mechanism in the air, and recently a joint cruise at sea has been carried out, which reflects the further deepening of Sino-Russian relations. The closer and closer cooperation between China and Russia will have a great role in promoting China's security and Russia's security. Both China and Russia will be able to more effectively safeguard their own security, and both sides can enhance their international status. In the face of the oppression of external forces, the oppression of Russia by NATO's eastward expansion, and the pressure formed by the United States on China in Japan, the Korean Peninsula, the Taiwan region and the South China Sea, the strengthening of cooperation between the two militaries of China and Russia will play a great role in alleviating our respective security pressures. Therefore, whether it is joint air cruises, joint cruises at sea, or joint military exercises on land, The further deepening of sino-Russian military cooperation is beneficial to both sides, regional peace, and world peace.
Source: Yangguang Military
Original title: Jin Yinan's Interpretation of Sino-Russian Maritime Joint Cruise: Deepening Sino-Russian Military Cooperation is Good for the World!
Reporter: Zhou Yuting
Column Editor-in-Chief: Gu Wanquan Text Editor: Li Linwei Caption Source: Yangguang Military Photo Editor: Xu Jiamin
Source: Author: Yangguang Military