Russian and Chinese Navies Conduct Joint Patrols in the Pacific Ocean

A joint flotilla consisting of Russian Navy and People's Liberation Navy (PLAN) ships, which sailed near Alaska and the Aleutian Islands in early August, has now been spotted operating in the East China Sea, according to the Japan Ministry of Defense. The flotilla, which originally consisted of 10 ships, including destroyers, corvettes, and frigates, has been sailing together since July 27. The joint patrol is the third one carried out by Russia and China, and China's Ministry of National Defense defended the patrols, stating that they were based on the annual cooperation plan between the two countries and did not target any third party.