China-Russia joint sea patrol not targeting any third party

China-Russia joint sea patrol not targeting any third party

In a significant development in international maritime cooperation, Russia and China have conducted their first-ever joint submarine patrol in the Pacific. The patrol, which began in early August, involved a Russian diesel-electric submarine, the Volkhov, traveling approximately 2,000 miles from its Vladivostok base. The patrol route covered the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea [1].

The joint patrol signifies a high level of strategic mutual trust between the two nations. According to a Chinese military expert, Zhang Junshe, quoted in the Global Times, "The first joint submarine patrol indicated a high level of strategic mutual trust between China and Russia. Having submarines keeping in contact requires not only higher technical expertise but also more in-depth exchanges" [1].

This latest development builds on the ongoing annual joint patrols between China and Russia, which started in 2021. These patrols have been conducted annually since, with a notable example being the 2021 voyage where a flotilla of 10 Chinese and Russian warships circumnavigated Japan’s main island [1].

The stated goal of these patrols is to strengthen naval cooperation, ensure peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, monitor maritime areas, and protect Russian and Chinese maritime economic facilities [1]. This cooperation extends beyond the Pacific, with joint air and sea patrols off Alaska since 2023, including a joint patrol of Chinese and Russian vessels in the Bering Sea near the US-Russia maritime border last year [1].

While the patrols are not explicitly targeting any third party, their frequency and scope have raised some concerns. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has responded to an unusual number of Russian surveillance plane flights into the Alaska air defense identification zone in the past week [1]. However, NORAD has stated that these activities are not seen as a threat.

Overall, these joint patrols reflect a deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia, with implications for maritime security and geopolitical dynamics in the region. As these collaborations continue, they will likely shape the future of naval cooperation and regional stability in the Asia-Pacific.

References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/28/asia/russia-china-joint-submarine-patrol-intl-hnk-ml