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“The group of ships passed through the Tsugaru Strait for the first time as part of a patrol,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The strait is considered international waters.
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“The duties of the patrol are to fly the flags of Russia and China, maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and safeguard the subjects of maritime economic activities of the two countries,” the ministry added.
Russian and Chinese military sailors also carried out joint tactical maneuvers and conducted other exercises along their routes. The patrol group consisted of ten ships, including two large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev from the Russian side and two Chinese destroyers Kunming and Nanchang.
Moscow and Beijing, which held joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan in early October, have developed closer military and diplomatic ties in recent years at a time when their relations with the West have deteriorated.
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During the patrol, Russian and Chinese ships sailed through the Tsugaru Strait between the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. The Japanese Navy, which monitors their actions, said the trip was carried out in accordance with international law and that the country’s territorial waters had not been violated.
Tensions have risen in the Pacific recently, as the United States is increasingly concerned about China’s growing influence in the region. The US and its NATO allies have sent warships on patrol missions in the area, although China has denounced the move as provocative and undermining regional stability.
Washington has also actively supported Taiwan’s push for independence from China. Last month, the US, Australia and Britain signed the so-called AUKUS pact with the aim of arming Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines, which has also raised concerns in Beijing.
(esn)
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