Russia and China plan regular joint naval exercises for Mediterranean, Pacific

Russia and China will strengthen military ties this spring with joint naval drills in the Mediterranean and Pacific.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced the scheduled exercises Tuesday in Beijing.

“We plan to conduct a regular joint naval exercise in the Mediterranean next spring. Another joint naval drill is planned in the Pacific,” Mr. Shoigu said, the Russian news agency TASS reported.

The Russian official’s comments came after meeting with Col. Gen. Chang Wanquan, China’s defense minister. Mr. Shoigu added that military cooperation in the region has “visibly expanded and gained a systemic character.”