Joint Sea 2025 to include drills near Vladivostok amid U.S. military presence in Asia-Pacific.

China and Russia will conduct their Joint Sea 2025 naval exercise in August near Japan, followed by a joint maritime patrol in the Pacific. The move comes as U.S. forces hold their largest-ever regional exercise with allies, intensifying strategic rivalries in the region.

Strengthened Military Cooperation

China’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed the Joint Sea 2025 exercise will take place in the sea and airspace near Vladivostok, Russia’s eastern port city on the Sea of Japan. Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang emphasized the drill is part of an annual plan, not aimed at any third party. However, Japan has expressed security concerns over the growing military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.

Joint Patrols Follow Drills

Following the exercise, the two navies will conduct their sixth joint maritime patrol in designated Pacific areas. This joint activity has become a regular feature since 2021, reflecting deepening military ties between the countries. Past patrols were often held before or after joint exercises, signaling coordinated strategic intent.

U.S. and Allies Flex Military Muscle

The announcement coincides with the ongoing U.S. “Resolute Force Pacific 2025” exercise, involving over 400 aircraft and 12,000 personnel from the United States, Japan, and Australia. Running until August 8, the drills are the largest contingency-response operations by the U.S. Air Force in the region. Zhang criticized these drills, calling them an intimidation tactic that undermines regional peace.

History of Joint Sea Drills

Since its inception in 2012, the Joint Sea series—also known as Maritime Cooperation—has seen Chinese and Russian forces conduct coordinated naval operations across multiple seas, including the Baltic and Mediterranean. The exercises typically involve warships, aircraft, and support units performing live-fire drills, anti-submarine warfare, and air defense operations.

Broader Geopolitical Context

The cooperation comes as China continues to back Russia economically amid Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. European leaders recently urged Beijing to use its influence to push Moscow toward ending the conflict, but Beijing remains steadfast in its strategic alignment with Russia.

China and Russia’s upcoming naval drills highlight their strengthened military partnership at a time of rising tensions with the West. For Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia and Singapore, these developments underscore shifting security dynamics in nearby waters, necessitating close monitoring of the evolving power balance in the Pacific.

Sources: SCMP (2025) , AP News (2025)

Keywords: China Russia Naval Exercise, Joint Sea 2025, Pacific Patrol, US Asia Pacific Drills, Regional Tensions