The joint military exercises between China and Russia in the Sea of Japan have attracted significant international attention due to their implications for regional security and geopolitics. These exercises, which involve naval and air forces, are part of a broader trend of deepening military cooperation between the two powers. The strategic coordination between China and Russia, combined with their growing military capabilities, raises important questions about their motivations, the impact on Japan, and the broader effects on regional stability.
Do China and Russia Want to Dominate Japan?
A key question surrounding the joint exercises is whether China and Russia aim to assert dominance over Japan. While neither country has explicitly stated such a goal, the military drills have raised alarms in Tokyo and beyond. It is important to note that the exercises are taking place in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk—both critical areas in the region’s geopolitical landscape. Japan’s close proximity to these waters and its territorial disputes with both China and Russia have exacerbated tensions.
However, the primary objective of China and Russia’s military exercises may not be to dominate Japan but to signal their growing influence in the Asia-Pacific. Both countries are eager to challenge the existing regional order, which is heavily influenced by Japan’s alliance with the United States. By conducting joint drills in waters near Japan, China and Russia are sending a message of deterrence to any potential adversaries, especially the U.S. and its allies. China and Russia may also be using these exercises to project power and secure their interests in the region, including safeguarding their strategic footholds. These exercises act as a demonstration of their ability to operate effectively together in contested waters, challenging any attempts to undermine their influence.
What Could Be the Purpose of China and Russia’s Show of Force?
The primary purpose of China and Russia’s military cooperation is to reinforce their strategic partnership and to show the world that they are capable of countering Western military power in the region. These exercises are part of a broader military alignment aimed at bolstering their defense capabilities and deterring external threats.
There are several specific objectives behind these drills:
- Military Readiness and Cooperation: Both China and Russia are focused on improving their joint military capabilities through these exercises. The drills provide an opportunity to train together, refine operational coordination, and enhance their ability to respond to potential conflicts. The exercises include naval and air forces and involve complex maneuvers that require a high level of cooperation. This is especially important for China, as it can gain valuable insights from Russia’s military experience, particularly in naval warfare .
- Strategic Deterrence: These exercises also serve as a form of strategic deterrence. By conducting joint military operations in the Sea of Japan, China and Russia are sending a message to Japan, the U.S., and other regional players that they are prepared to defend their interests in the Asia-Pacific. The exercises demonstrate their capacity to project power in a key maritime region and challenge the dominance of Western-aligned countries
- Strengthening Bilateral Ties: The joint drills are also a reflection of the growing political and military alliance between China and Russia. Both nations have aligned themselves in opposition to U.S. hegemony and are working together to reshape the global order. Their military exercises are an extension of this partnership, highlighting the depth of their cooperation.
How Are Relations Between China and Russia with Japan?
Japan’s relations with both China and Russia are complex, marked by a mix of economic interdependence and deep-rooted political and territorial tensions.
- China-Japan Relations: Relations between China and Japan have long been strained, especially over territorial disputes in the East China Sea. The most notable dispute involves the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, which both countries claim sovereignty over. These tensions are exacerbated by Japan’s military alliance with the United States, which China views as a direct challenge to its security interests. Despite these tensions, China and Japan maintain significant economic ties, with China being one of Japan’s largest trading partners
- Russia-Japan Relations: Similarly, Japan’s relationship with Russia is hampered by a territorial dispute over the Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories. These islands were seized by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II, and the dispute has prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty. While Russia and Japan have pursued economic cooperation, especially in areas like energy, the Kuril Islands dispute remains a major obstacle to improving bilateral relations. Japan’s alignment with Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine has further strained ties .
What Is Japan’s Response to China and Russia’s Joint War Exercises?
Japan has expressed significant concern over the joint military exercises conducted by China and Russia in the Sea of Japan. The Japanese government views these drills as a potential threat to regional stability and has called for increased vigilance.
In response, Japan has strengthened its own defense capabilities, conducting joint military exercises with the United States and other allies in the region. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have also ramped up their surveillance of the Sea of Japan and the surrounding areas during these drills, monitoring Chinese and Russian military activities closely
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has repeatedly condemned these exercises, emphasizing the need to ensure regional security and stability. In diplomatic circles, Japan has sought to strengthen its alliances with other countries in the Indo-Pacific, such as Australia and India, to counterbalance the growing influence of China and Russia.
What Are the Effects of Joint War Exercises Between China and Russia on the Region?
The joint military exercises between China and Russia have several important effects on the broader Asia-Pacific region:
- Heightened Regional Tensions: The presence of Chinese and Russian forces conducting military drills near Japan and other U.S. allies has escalated military tensions in the region. These exercises signal that both China and Russia are willing to challenge the existing security architecture in the Asia-Pacific, which has been dominated by U.S.-led alliances
- Impact on Regional Alliances: The joint exercises have also prompted countries in the region to rethink their defense strategies and alliances. Japan, South Korea, Australia, and other regional powers have sought to deepen their military cooperation with the United States in response to the growing military cooperation between China and Russia. The formation of strategic alliances, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), reflects this trend
- Geopolitical Realignments: The joint exercises are part of a broader geopolitical realignment in the Asia-Pacific. As China and Russia strengthen their military and political ties, they are positioning themselves as a counterbalance to U.S. influence in the region. This realignment has implications for trade, security, and diplomatic relations throughout the Indo-Pacific .
Joint military exercises
The joint military exercises conducted by China and Russia in the Sea of Japan are a clear reflection of the growing military and strategic partnership between the two nations. These drills serve as a demonstration of their ability to project power and challenge the regional order, particularly in a region dominated by U.S.-Japan military cooperation. While the primary purpose of these exercises is to enhance military readiness and deter potential adversaries, they also have broader geopolitical implications for the Asia-Pacific region.
For Japan, these exercises represent a serious security challenge, prompting Tokyo to strengthen its defense capabilities and deepen its alliances with other regional powers. As China and Russia continue to expand their military cooperation, the Asia-Pacific region is likely to see heightened tensions and further shifts in the balance of power.
References:
- Global Times. “China, Russia to Hold Joint Drills in Sea of Japan.” Global Times.
- Japan Times. “Japan Boosts Surveillance as China, Russia Conduct Joint Military Exercises.” Japan Times.
- Fox News. “Russia and China Strengthen Military Ties in Joint Naval Drills.” Fox News.
- Reuters. “China, Russia Hold Military Exercises Near Japan Amid Rising Tensions.” Reuters.
- CSIS. “China and Russia’s Evolving Military Alliance.” Center for Strategic & International Studies.
