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PHOTO: Chinese and Russian naval vessels are seen during Joint Sea-2014
naval exercise outside Shanghai on the East China Sea, May 23, 2014
(Reuters / China Daily)

The Russian and Chinese Navies are to hold a joint
exercise in the Mediterranean Sea in mid-May, a first in that part of
the world. A total of nine warships from the two countries are to
participate, Beijing said.

“The aim is to
deepen both countries’ friendly and practical cooperation, and
increase our navies’ ability to jointly deal with maritime
security threats,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng
Yansheng said on Thursday in a monthly news briefing.
 

“What needs saying is that these exercises are not aimed at
any third party and have nothing to do with the regional
situation,” he added, saying that the Chinese Navy would
contribute its warships currently on an anti-piracy mission in
the Gulf of Aden.

Russia and China have previously held joint naval exercises in
the Pacific in waters they both have direct access to. The
Mediterranean Sea Cooperation-2015 drill would focus on
navigation safety, at-sea replenishment, escort missions and live
fire exercises, Geng said.

Moscow and Beijing are intensifying defense cooperation as both
countries oppose US criticism of its military policies. China is
being accused of aggressive deployments in the South China Sea,
where it is contesting territories with several regional nations.
The PLA’s Navy and Air Force have been increasingly at odds with
Japan and South Korea, key American allies.

Russia has been subjected to economic sanctions over its position
in Ukraine which, according to Washington, is threatening its
NATO allies in Eastern Europe.

RT