'Facing US Pressure' China and Russia Begin Joint Military Exercises

Chinese and Russian soldiers participating in joint military exercises are seen conversing at the training ground in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, on the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] China and Russia began joint military exercises in China on the 9th.

China's state-run Global Times reported that the opening ceremony of the joint exercise "Western Union-2021" between the Chinese and Russian militaries was held at the Qingtongxia Joint Tactical Training Base in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on the morning of the same day.

The opening ceremony, which began with the flight of 15 armed and transport helicopters, involved nine ground forces from the Chinese military, including the Western Theater Command Special Operations Unit, Army Aviation, and Airborne Units. The Russian forces were all from the Eastern Military District, composed of infantry, tank troops, and tactical aviation troops.

At the end of the opening ceremony, six air force aviation units appeared, consisting of various aircraft models such as the J-20, J-11, J-16, JH-7A, H-6, and Y-20.

During the exercises, which will continue until the 13th, the two countries' militaries will establish a joint command headquarters to inspect joint reconnaissance and early warning capabilities, electronic information attacks, and joint strike capabilities.

Earlier, China's Global Times reported that the People's Liberation Army would share its latest weapons and equipment with the Russian military for the first time during this exercise. This is seen as an indication that the military cooperation between China and Russia against the United States is moving toward a quasi-alliance level.

The weapons supplied to the Russian military during this exercise included China's "Type 11 assault gun" and "Type 8 infantry fighting vehicle."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.