The Chinese and Russian navies conducted a joint maritime patrol in western and northern parts of the Pacific Ocean recently before entering the South China Sea on Sunday.

Planned in accordance with an annual schedule and a bilateral agreement, the joint patrol fleet's activities do not target any third party and are unrelated to current international or regional situations, the Ministry of National Defense said.

The joint patrol fleet consists of the Chinese missile destroyer Yinchuan and missile frigate Hengshui and a Russian frigate.

The Chinese supply ship Weishanhu also joined the fleet in what is the fourth China-Russia joint maritime patrol since 2021.

The fleet has engaged in exercises such as inspection operations and helicopter landings, enhancing mutual understanding and the traditional friendship between the two militaries, the ministry said.

The joint patrol has also strengthened strategic mutual trust, honed combat capabilities and improved joint maritime security responses, it said, laying a solid foundation for deepening and improving related mechanisms and advancing friendly and practical cooperation.

Xinhua