China is conducting a military exercise together with Russia along China's southern coast, according to the Defense Department in Beijing. The exercise is said to have started early in July and will continue until mid-month.
The announcement comes shortly after the defense alliance NATO concluded its summit in Washington, where Japan warned of a growing threat from China – and the country's increasingly strong ties with Russia.
The exercise at sea and in the air near the city of Zhanjiang in Guangdong Province is, according to the Chinese Defense Department, intended to "demonstrate the two sides' determination and ability to jointly address maritime security threats and maintain global and regional peace and stability".
The relationship between China and Russia has been strengthened in recent years. The countries' leaders have spoken of a partnership "without borders".
