By Ankit Panda
Russia and China will hold naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean in 2015.
Russia and China will hold at least two naval exercises in 2015, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The exercises will take place in the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. “We plan to conduct a regular joint naval exercise in the Mediterranean next spring,” said Shoigu according to ITAR-TASS, adding that “another joint naval drill is planned in the Pacific.” Shoigu’s comments came after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, General Chang Wanquan in Beijing. He additionally noted that Russia and China are looking to form a regional collective security system in the Asia-Pacific region. The minister added that both Russia and China are growing increasingly concerned by the United States’ bid to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific.
“During talks with Comrade Chang Wanquan, we discussed the state and prospects of the Russian-Chinese relations in the military field, exchanged opinions on the military-political situation in general and the APR [Asia-Pacific region] in particular,” Shoigu said. “We also expressed concern over U.S. attempts to strengthen its military and political clout in the APR,” he continued. “We believe that the main goal of pooling our effort is to shape a collective regional security system.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat