China and Russia Unite, Set to Conduct Joint Naval Patrols Near Indonesian Waters

China and Russia are further strengthening their military cooperation. The two nations will hold their annual joint naval exercise, ‘Joint Sea-2026’, this July, followed by combined maritime patrols in various areas of the Pacific Ocean. The move has drawn attention as parts of the Western Pacific are located near Southeast Asia and border Indonesia’s maritime zones.

‘After the exercise, some forces from both sides will conduct joint maritime patrols in relevant Pacific Ocean waters,’ China’s Ministry of National Defence stated on Monday. Beijing emphasised that the agenda is part of routine cooperation between the two countries. The ministry said the joint exercise and patrols aim to address security challenges and maintain regional peace and stability.

The Chinese government did not specify the number of warships or personnel to be deployed. The exercise comes approximately two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, during which he described Moscow-Beijing relations as having reached an unprecedented level. President Xi Jinping characterised the partnership as ‘unshakeable’.

Relations between China and Russia have grown increasingly close in recent years across economic, diplomatic, and defence sectors, with both nations often aligning in opposition to a US-led global order. The Joint Sea exercises have been held annually since 2012. Last year, the drills took place near the Russian port of Vladivostok, followed by a combined patrol in the Pacific Ocean.

The patrols in the Pacific are noteworthy because the region is a strategic route directly connected to East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the waters north of Indonesia. Although the exercise is centred off China’s eastern coast, the Western Pacific patrols are relatively close to the Indo-Pacific region, including shipping lanes of strategic interest to Indonesia.

Amid the increasing military cooperation, China’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war remains under scrutiny. Beijing has not condemned the invasion since 2022 and maintains it is a neutral party encouraging a peaceful resolution through negotiations. The United States and several Western nations have accused China of supporting Moscow’s war effort, allegations that Beijing has consistently denied.