For decades China has been considered by Russia as one of its potential threats.
Russia’s Vostok-2018 (East-2018) drills, which run until Monday, are taking place in Siberia and in waters off Russia’s eastern coast, involving 300,000 troops, over 1,000 military aircraft and two naval fleets.
Chinese media reports have stated that 3,200 Chinese soldiers and 30 aircraft are also participating.
The wargames are taking place at a time of heightened tension between the West and Russia, and NATO has said it will monitor the exercise closely, as will the United States which has a strong military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
But Moscow insists that they’re just a regular annual test of the combat preparedness of its troops, and President Vladimir Putin has underlined that Russia does not have any aggressive intent..
What is notable is China’s scaled up involvement; for decades Beijing had been considered by Russia as a potential threat.
China’s People’s Liberation Army has conducted military exercises in the past with Russia but never on such a scale and Chinese official media are trumpeting a deepening strategic partnership.
