Russian warships participating in the Sino-Russian "Joint Maritime-2016" military exercise arrived in Zhanjiang, China, on the 12th, and Chinese naval forces were also assembled here. Although China and Russia have repeatedly emphasized that they are not targeting third parties and the military exercise area is not a disputed area, some foreign media have seized on the fact that "this is the first military exercise conducted by both sides in the South China Sea" and speculated that China and Russia would join forces to send a tough signal to the outside world. Russian Sputnik News quoted Chinese Navy Deputy Commander Wang Hai as saying on the 12th that the military exercises will be in line with actual combat conditions to the greatest extent possible to enhance the two countries' ability to deal with common security threats. Itar-Tass news agency stated that in the view of Russian Defense Ministry official Igor Degalo, this exercise will be another contribution made by Russia and China to consolidate security in the Asia-Pacific region.

The general directors of this exercise are Wang Hai and Russian Navy Deputy Commander Fedodenkov respectively. Fedodenkov told RIA Novosti on the 12th that China held a grand ceremony to welcome the Russian warships participating in the joint military exercise. A total of 18 warships and support vessels, 21 aircraft, and more than 250 Marines from both sides participated in this joint exercise this year.

On the 12th, the Chinese Navy disclosed the Chinese forces participating in the exercise. There are 10 ships in total, including the guided missile destroyers Guangzhou and Zhengzhou, the guided missile frigates Daqing, Huangshan, and Sanya, the landing ships Kunlunshan and Yunwushan, the supply ship Junshanhu, and 2 submarines. In addition, 19 aircraft including J-11B fighters, Flying Leopard fighters, early warning aircraft, and multiple types of carrier-based helicopters, as well as some Marine Corps members, participated in the exercise. It can be seen that China's participating troops mainly come from the South China Sea Fleet, and the East China Sea and North Sea Fleets sent some troops.

Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the Naval Military Academic Research Institute, told the Global Times reporter on the 12th that these 10 ships are all active main battleships and are all domestically produced ships. For example, the Zhengzhou ship is equipped with a self-developed new weapon system with high technical content, advanced performance, and outstanding long-range warning and regional air defense capabilities. It can undertake the regional air defense mission of the formation, and can also serve as the command ship of the maritime joint mobile formation. The Kunlun Mountain ship has a relatively strong long-range three-dimensional delivery capability. It can carry multiple helicopters, several air-cushion landing craft, and dozens of amphibious tanks at the same time. Its maximum range reaches more than 10,000 kilometers, and it can carry out long-range three-dimensional delivery.

The "Joint Maritime" series of exercises is the largest maritime exercise within the bilateral framework between China and Russia and has been held annually since 2012. Although many foreign media have noticed that the location of this year's exercise is located along the coast of China and is not in disputed waters, they still link it to the situation in the South China Sea. The United Press reported on the 12th that this was the first military exercise held in the waters after the results of the South China Sea arbitration case were released. The New York Times said that although China stated that this military exercise does not set up imaginary enemies and does not target third parties, the location of the exercise in the tense South China Sea has attracted criticism. When Commander Swift of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet visited China last month, he said that there are other places to choose from for China-Russia military exercises, but the actual location of the exercises is not conducive to regional stability. Radio France Internationale said that China and Russia held joint military exercises for eight consecutive days in the treacherous South China Sea, causing many international media to speculate that this was targeted.

Japan's Kyodo News said that China will use this to express its countermeasures against the United States' "freedom of navigation" and other military actions in the South China Sea. Some Chinese diplomatic experts pointed out that this military exercise aims to demonstrate China’s determination to safeguard maritime rights and interests. The British "Daily Mail" stated that the relationship between the leaders of China and Russia is unusual. The two countries have close diplomatic and military relations and often confront the West, especially againstUSA. The Associated Press commented that Russia is a global power that openly speaks for China on the South China Sea issue. The joint military exercise is a sign of deepening cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries.

"We hold similar exercises every year, and there are no fundamental changes in this exercise." Fedodenkov once again emphasized on the 12th that "Russia-China cooperation is not aimed at anyone." He said that the joint military exercises are for defense purposes, and the Russian-Chinese naval partnership is to ensure the safety of peaceful activities in the world's oceans and prevent dangerous challenges. Zhang Junshe told a reporter from the Global Times on the 12th that China and Russia conducted joint exercises in accordance with international law and international practices. Some media have linked this to the South China Sea arbitration case, which is an unwarranted connection. The South China Sea arbitration case has ended, but some Western media are still unwilling to accept it and want to continue to hype it and incite regional tensions.

However, there is no doubt that good military cooperation is another example of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination maintaining a high-level development momentum. Russian Sputnik News quoted Russian experts as saying that for Russia, participating in such exercises is a major political move. This is a realistic push for Russia and China to strengthen mutual support in the military and political fields. When asked about this joint military exercise at a regular press conference on the 12th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that the strategic nature of China-Russia relations is self-evident. The two sides have not only carried out a lot of practical cooperation at the bilateral level, but also conducted fruitful communication and collaboration at the international and strategic level. She said: "Facts have proved that China-Russia cooperation is a positive factor in maintaining regional peace and stability."

Sino-Russian joint military exercises

Since 2005, China and Russia have held multiple joint military exercises. Joint military exercises have become a normal form of cooperation between the two militaries.

From August 18 to 25, 2005, the "Peace Mission-2005" Sino-Russian joint military exercise was held in Vladivostok, Russia, the Shandong Peninsula of China, and nearby waters. China and Russia sent nearly 10,000 army, navy, air force, airborne troops, marines, and support teams (detachments) to participate in the exercise.

From July 22 to 26, 2009, the "Peace Mission-2009" Sino-Russian joint anti-terrorism military exercise was held in Russia's Khabarovsk and China's Shenyang Military Region Taonan Contract Tactical Training Base. China and Russia each sent 1,300 people to participate in the exercise.

On September 18, 2009, a joint exercise codenamed "Peace Blue Shield-2009" involving the third batch of Chinese Navy escort taskforces and the Russian Navy escort taskforce was held in the western area of the Gulf of Aden. China and Russia sent a total of 9 surface ships of various types to participate in the exercise.

From April 22 to 27, 2014, the "Joint Maritime-2012" Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise was held in the waters near Qingdao. China and Russia sent a total of 25 ships of various types, 13 aircraft, 9 helicopters, and 2 special operations units to participate in the exercise.

From July 5 to 12, 2013, the "Joint Maritime-2013" Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise was held in Peter the Great Bay. China and Russia sent a total of 18 surface ships of various types, 1 submarine, 3 fixed-wing aircraft, 5 carrier-based helicopters and 2 special operations units to participate in the exercise.

July 27 to August 15, 2013, "Peace Mission-2013&rd""The Sino-Russian joint anti-terrorism military exercise was held at the Chebarkul Contract Training Ground in Chelyabinsk, Russia. China sent 646 people and Russia sent about 600 people to participate in the exercise.

From May 20 to 26, 2014, the "Joint Maritime-2014" Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise was held in the northern sea and airspace of the East China Sea east of the Yangtze River Estuary in China. The Chinese and Russian navies sent a total of 14 surface ships of various types, 2 submarines, 9 fixed-wing aircraft, as well as carrier-based helicopters, special operations units and other forces to participate in the exercise. The leaders of the two countries attended the opening ceremony of the exercise and delivered important speeches.

From May 11 to 21, 2015, the "Joint Maritime-2015 (I)" Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise was held in the Mediterranean Sea. The Chinese and Russian navies sent a total of 9 surface ships of various types, as well as ship-based helicopters, special operations units and other troops to participate in the exercise.

From August 20 to 28, 2015, the "Joint Maritime-2015 (II)" Sino-Russian joint maritime exercise was held in the waters near Peter the Great Bay. The Chinese and Russian navies dispatched a total of more than 20 ships, more than 20 aircraft and more than 40 amphibious equipment to conduct joint air defense, joint anti-submarine, joint landing and other exercises.