Joint Sea-2025 marks a new milestone in Beijing-Moscow military alliance as tensions with the West intensify
In a clear sign of their growing strategic alignment, China and Russia have launched a series of high-stakes naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, signaling deeper military cooperation amid mounting tensions with the West. The three-day operation, codenamed Joint Sea-2025, began on Sunday near Vladivostok, showcasing both nations’ readiness to present a unified front on the global stage.
The drills, which commenced barely 48 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the deployment of two nuclear submarines to the Pacific region, come at a time when geopolitical rivalries are heating up. Trump’s move followed sharp rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, whom he accused of making “provocative” threats that undermined global stability.
Complex Tactical Drills and Real-Time Combat Scenarios
According to China’s Ministry of National Defence, Joint Sea-2025 features an extensive array of tactical operations designed to strengthen interoperability between the two naval forces. These include joint anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defense operations, maritime interdiction scenarios, and full-scale combat simulations.
The exercises also incorporate submarine rescue operations, a rare and technically demanding component, highlighting the preparedness of both nations for undersea contingencies. Chinese and Russian naval divers were seen working collaboratively to simulate the retrieval of a distressed submarine from the seabed—a move described by analysts as both symbolic and practical.
Live-fire drills remain a core part of the exercise. Artillery and missile systems have been activated in combat simulations, testing command coordination and joint decision-making under battlefield conditions. The drills aim not only to demonstrate firepower but also to refine strategic communication between both navies.
Ships, Submarines, and High-End Equipment on Display
Beijing deployed a formidable contingent for the operation, including the guided-missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, a diesel-electric submarine, the replenishment ship Qiandaohu, and the submarine rescue vessel Xihu. The presence of advanced destroyers indicates China’s intent to position itself as a dominant maritime force in the Asia-Pacific region.
From Russia’s Pacific Fleet, key assets participating include the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs, the corvette Gromky, the rescue vessel Igor Belousov, and the diesel-electric submarine Volkhov. Together, the combined fleets offer a diverse and powerful mix of firepower, stealth, and technical capability.
Video footage released by the Russian Ministry of Defense and Chinese state television revealed synchronized naval operations, with surface ships repelling aerial attacks, engaging enemy vessels, and escorting high-value assets through contested waters.
Annual Exercise, Rising Relevance
Though the Joint Sea exercises have been conducted annually since 2012, the 2025 edition carries heightened significance due to the evolving geopolitical context. In recent years, Beijing and Moscow have moved closer, driven by shared resistance to what they perceive as Western hegemony and an expansionist NATO alliance.
This year’s drill is the first to take place under Trump’s renewed presidency and against the backdrop of ongoing Western sanctions targeting Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. China, though officially neutral, has extended critical economic and diplomatic support to Russia, defying pressure from the U.S. and European allies.
For Beijing, the drills also send a domestic and regional message—that China remains committed to defending its maritime interests amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. For Russia, they reaffirm the Kremlin’s narrative of military resilience and global partnerships in defiance of Western isolation.
Strategic Message to the West
Defense analysts say the location and timing of the drills are no coincidence. Conducting large-scale military exercises so close to Japan and South Korea—a region that hosts thousands of U.S. troops—sends a direct message to Washington and its allies. The Sea of Japan, while international, remains a strategic maritime corridor for U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific.
“The optics are undeniable,” said Dr. Fiona Mendez, a global security expert at the Centre for Strategic Partnerships. “You have two of the world’s most powerful authoritarian regimes conducting joint military exercises days after the U.S. president ordered nuclear assets into the region. This is not just routine training—it’s strategic signaling.”
Mendez added that the inclusion of advanced rescue missions and live-fire components reflects a rising level of military trust between the two nations, which historically maintained cautious defense ties.
A Recalibration of Global Power
As the United States continues to forge alliances in the Indo-Pacific—such as AUKUS with the UK and Australia, and QUAD with India and Japan—China and Russia are countering with their own version of power projection.
The Joint Sea-2025 operation is expected to be followed by further joint drills later this year, potentially including land and air components under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
With traditional alliances fraying and new coalitions emerging, the global security landscape is undergoing a dramatic recalibration. For many observers, Joint Sea-2025 serves as both a military exercise and a geopolitical milestone—solidifying a new axis of cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.
Conclusion
As the final phase of Joint Sea-2025 draws near, China and Russia have again demonstrated their ability—and willingness—to collaborate in defiance of Western military influence. The drills not only enhance tactical readiness but also symbolize a deeper strategic alignment that could shape future global conflicts.
In an era defined by multipolar tensions, economic warfare, and ideological divides, the sight of Chinese and Russian warships moving in concert is a potent image. One that suggests a shifting tide in the balance of global power—and a warning that the West may no longer act uncontested on the world stage.
Africa Live News will continue to monitor developments around Joint Sea-2025 and its broader implications for global security and diplomacy.
