On the morning of July 31, 2025, a task force from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) arrived at the military port of Vladivostok, Russia, officially marking the start of the Joint Sea 2025 Naval Exercise between China and Russia.
The Chinese formation consists of four vessels: the guided-missile destroyer Shaoxing (Hull 134), the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi (Hull 118), the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu (Hull 886), and the submarine rescue ship Xihu (Hull 841).
During the welcoming ceremony, the Russian military band performed the national anthems of both China and Russia. Commanders-in-chief from both navies delivered speeches, emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and the role of joint exercises in building mutual trust.
The head of the Russian delegation highlighted that the expansion of joint naval training reinforces the friendship between the two countries and promotes regional stability. The Chinese representative pointed out that the long-running “Joint Sea” exercise series, held for over a decade, reflects the deepening of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and a shared commitment to peace, international justice, and the creation of a maritime community with a shared future.
According to official reports, the Joint Sea 2025 Exercise entered its joint planning phase on July 30. During this stage, delegations from both countries will hold technical meetings and coordinate the details of upcoming naval operations scheduled for the following weeks.
The military partnership between China and Russia has intensified in recent years, reflecting the growing strategic alignment between the two powers amid increasing global geopolitical tensions.
Source and images: ChinaMil. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
