Russia and China enhance military cooperation through naval drills

In the Sea of Japan, the Russian and Chinese navies conducted five days of coordinated military exercises from August 1 to August 5, showcasing their growing military relationship. The drills, referred to as Maritime Interaction 2025, involved anti-submarine operations and live-fire exercises. Participating forces included a large Russian anti-submarine ship, two Chinese destroyers, and additional submarines and rescue ships from both nations. The exercises began near Vladivostok in Russia's Far East before proceeding into the seas surrounding Japan. This collaboration marks a significant enhancement of military ties, as both nations increasingly conduct joint drills in response to tensions in the Pacific region and ongoing disputes involving multiple neighboring countries. The escalating military collaboration is indicative of the strategic alignment emerging between China and Russia since 2003, with over half of the 113 reported military exercises occurring in the last six years. The backdrop of these drills includes territorial tensions such as China's claims in the South China Sea and Russia's historical disputes with Japan over the Kuril Islands, both of which have heightened security concerns in the region. Notably, these joint naval drills coincided with independent military exercises between India and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Not only do these developments reflect the strengthening of China and Russia's military posture, but they also signal a more complex multipolar security dynamic in the Pacific, where alliances and military readiness are increasingly shaped by regional rivalries and historical disputes.