The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today, Tuesday, December 22, that six Russian and Chinese strategic bombers have carried out a second joint patrol between the two countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The ministry said in a statement that two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and four Chinese Hun-6K strategic bombers participated in the operation, stating that the mission was conducted in full compliance with international law and did not violate the airspace of other countries.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stressed that the joint air patrols between Russia and China were conducted with the aim of developing the partnership between the two countries, raising the level of coordination between their armed forces and strengthening the ability of both countries to conduct joint military operations, as well as to enhance strategic stability in the world.
The communiqué stated that the patrol was carried out as part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan between the two countries for the year 2020 and was not directed against other countries. Russia and China conducted the first joint air patrol in the region on July 23, 2019.
On Tuesday, December 15, China and Russia extended for 10 years an agreement to inform each other about ballistic missile and rocket carrier launches. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe and his Russian counterpart General Sergei Choigou signed the extension in a video conference with the approval of the presidents of the two countries. The extension came into force upon signature”. Both armies are willing to strengthen pragmatic cooperation and enrich bilateral relations,” said the Chinese Ministry of Defense. The agreement was first signed on October 13, 2009 and was about to expire this month.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, “the agreement demonstrates the uniqueness and high quality of the overall strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries”. For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the extension highlights “the trusting nature of Russian-Chinese relations and helps maintain global security and stability. Information about ballistic missile launches has long been considered a sensitive issue that was rarely disclosed to other countries.
by Basit Abbasi – SN