Chinese Defence Ministry Says Joint Air Patrol With Russia No Threat to Other States

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The recent joint Russian-Chinese air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region is part of the annual military cooperation plan between Moscow and Beijing aimed at strengthening bilateral strategic cooperation and global security, and does not target any other state, the Chinese Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Russian aerospace forces and the Chinese air force conducted a joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region that lasted over 10 hours. Two Russia’s Tu-95MS strategic bombers and four China’s Xian H-6 strategic bombers participated in the patrol, which the sides said were conducted in strict compliance with the international law. At some points, the Russian and Chinese aircraft was escorted by Japan’s F-15 fighters.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato has said that Moscow and Beijing did not inform Tokyo in advance about the plans on joint air patrol carried out near the Japanese borders.

In July 2019, Russia and China carried out their first joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region with the declared aim of deepening bilateral relations and strengthening military cooperation between the countries, as well as facilitating global security. The patrol appeared to have been carried out in compliance with international law, though Japan and South Korea accused Russia and China of violating their airspace.

Sourse: sputniknews.com