Joint China-Russia naval exercises begin off Vladivostok

The Chinese and Russian naval vessel formation participating in the Joint Sea-2025 exercises set sail on Sunday morning for the waters near Vladivostok, Russia, China's Defense Ministry said. It marked the full commencement of the maritime phase of the joint exercises.

At around 5 am, three Chinese warships and three Russian warships successively departed from a military port, the ministry said, citing a news release by the People's Liberation Army.

After leaving port, the warships quickly established a formation according to the mixed order of Chinese and Russian ships and headed towards the designated mission area, the release stated.

Afterwards, the Chinese and Russian vessels established communication links and exchanged information on hydro-meteorological conditions and sea and air situations.

The news release said that prior to this, a joint command center composed of Chinese and Russian personnel had organized a map-based rehearsal according to the exercise plan and scenario, focusing on issues such as organizational forms and force coordination.

In addition, they revised and improved the drill subject plans and emergency response plans, and organized professional exchanges around topics such as underwater offense and defense, and submarine rescue.

According to the exercise plan, the two countries' naval formation will conduct a three-day maritime drill, which includes exercises on submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine operations, air and missile defense, and maritime combat.