In a show of increasing military cooperation, China and Russia conducted their ninth joint strategic air patrol over the Sea of Japan on Friday, as part of an ongoing annual partnership since 2019. The patrol, which took place in “relevant airspace,” was designed to test and enhance the operational capabilities of both countries’ air forces, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
The operation comes amid growing concerns in the region, with South Korea’s military reporting that 11 Chinese and Russian aircraft entered its Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) without prior notice. The planes remained in the zone for four hours before leaving without incident, prompting South Korea to launch fighter jets in response. South Korean officials expressed dissatisfaction, formally protesting the lack of communication from China and Russia, emphasizing that countries require foreign aircraft entering their ADIZs to identify themselves for security reasons.
While ADIZs are not considered a nation’s territorial airspace, they often overlap with other countries’ zones, leading to tensions. This joint military activity follows a similar air patrol conducted by the two countries in July, which involved nuclear-capable strategic bombers near the U.S. state of Alaska, escalating tensions with both the United States and Canada, who scrambled fighter jets in response.
This continued military collaboration between China and Russia underscores the strengthening of their strategic ties, further complicating the security landscape in the region.
