On Sunday, July 14, 2024, Chinese and Russian naval forces carried out joint exercises at a military port in Guangdong, a southern Chinese province. This collaboration came just days after NATO allies characterized Beijing as a “decisive factor” in the Ukraine conflict. On the preceding day, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced the arrival of two Steregushchiy-class Russian warships, “Gromki” and “Ryzky,” at the shores of Zhanjiang, southern China, to participate in the “Maritime Cooperation – 2024” exercises with their Chinese counterparts.

The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that these exercises would involve training for rescue missions at sea, joint air defense, and anti-submarine exercises, featuring the naval anti-submarine aviation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Defence stated that the exercises were routine and unrelated to current international and regional tensions, emphasizing that they did not target any third party. Official Chinese media reported that these exercises aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of the Chinese and Russian naval forces in addressing security threats and maintaining global and regional peace and stability.

The activities included anti-missile training, naval strikes, air defense, and military simulation exercises conducted in Zhanjiang City, China.

These joint exercises occurred amidst rising tensions between China and NATO allies. At the NATO summit in Washington, 32 member nations issued a statement describing China as a significant factor in Russia’s war against Ukraine. NATO leaders accused China of deepening relations with Moscow, raising concerns about Beijing’s nuclear arsenal and space capabilities. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized NATO’s stance on China’s role in enabling Russia’s war efforts.

During the NATO meeting, American military officials reported an incident where a US Coast Guard boat encountered several Chinese military ships in the Bering Sea, raising concerns in Washington. This encounter, coupled with the broader geopolitical tensions, led NATO to urge China to halt all support for Russia’s war efforts, highlighting China’s provision of dual-use items to Russia’s defense sector. The American officials were particularly alarmed by the presence of Chinese ships near the Aleutian Islands, an area considered sensitive and strategically significant for the US. This incident was seen as part of a broader pattern of increased Chinese naval activity in areas of strategic interest to NATO countries.

In response, China accused NATO of seeking security at others’ expense and urged the alliance to avoid causing chaos in Asia. The Chinese Foreign Ministry insisted on its fair and objective stance on the Ukraine conflict and denied providing direct military aid to Russia, emphasizing that their relationship remained primarily trade-focused. Beijing expressed dissatisfaction with NATO’s increasing interest in Asia, deeming it provocative and full of Cold War mentality.

The Chinese government argued that NATO’s expansion of influence into the Asia-Pacific region was unwarranted and destabilizing, further complicating the already tense international environment.

The NATO statement also accused China of malicious cyber activities and rapid nuclear arsenal expansion. Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs, Danny Russell, commented that NATO’s unity against China and Russia highlighted the failure of Beijing’s attempt to appear neutral and divide Western Europe from Russia. Russell’s remarks underscored the perception that China’s strategic maneuvers were aimed at exploiting divisions within the Western alliance, a strategy that appears to have backfired by consolidating opposition to Beijing’s policies.

Further intensifying the situation, Chinese forces conducted joint military exercises in Belarus, a Russian ally, for the first time since the Russian-Ukrainian war began in February 2022. This move drew objections from Poland, a NATO member and ally of Washington, which expressed concerns about the use of these exercises for misinformation and propaganda purposes. Poland’s statement highlighted the broader apprehension within NATO about the strategic implications of the Sino-Russian military cooperation, particularly in regions adjacent to NATO’s eastern flank.

In response to NATO’s accusations, China continued its assertive military stance, conducting joint exercises with Belarus. These maneuvers, named “Falcon Attacks,” started on July 8, 2024, and were scheduled to continue until mid-July. The Chinese Ministry of Defence highlighted these exercises as an effort to deepen cooperation with Belarus in facing common threats.

The choice of Belarus as a partner for these exercises was seen as a clear message to NATO about China’s commitment to supporting its allies and countering what it perceives as Western encroachment.

The backdrop of these joint Chinese-Russian naval exercises illustrates the complex geopolitical landscape marked by rising tensions between NATO allies and the Sino-Russian axis. As NATO scrutinizes China’s role in supporting Russia, China steadfastly defends its position, leading to an intricate interplay of military maneuvers, diplomatic statements, and strategic posturing. These developments underscore the broader context of shifting global alliances and the ongoing power struggle between major world powers.

The joint exercises between China and Russia serve as a tangible demonstration of their military capabilities and cooperation, potentially altering the strategic balance in the region. This dynamic interplay continues to shape the global political and security environment, with significant implications for international relations and stability. The exercises are not merely about military preparedness but also about signaling to the world the growing strategic partnership between China and Russia in the face of what they perceive as Western antagonism.