Two Su-35 fighter jets and a H-6K bomber fly in formation on May 11, 2018. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force conducted patrol training over China's island of Taiwan.Photo:China Military

 
China and Russia on Tuesday carried out a regular joint strategic patrol in the Asia-Pacific region for the fourth consecutive year, a move analysts said displayed a high level of military cooperation between the two major powers that contributes to peace and stability in the region and the world at a time when both countries are facing stern, provocative pressure from the US and the West.

In accordance with the two militaries' annual military cooperation plan, air forces of China and Russia held a regular joint strategic patrol above the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on the day.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force sent H-6K strategic bombers, and the Russian Aerospace Forces dispatched Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers, with Su-30SM aircraft providing escort to the air group, according to a press release from the Russian Defense Ministry.

In the course of their missions, the aircraft of both countries acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of international law, the Russian press release said, noting that there have been no violations of foreign airspace.

The flight time of the Russian strategic missile carriers was about 13 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff said in a press release that Japan identified four Chinese H-6 bombers, two Russian Tu-95 bombers and a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft throughout the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific.

This marks the fourth consecutive year China and Russia have conducted similar joint aerial patrols in the region. The first   took place in July 2019, the second in December 2020, and the third in November 2021.

The joint patrol came at a time not only when US President Joe Biden is visiting Japan and amid the QUAD summit that aims to contain China, with Biden saying on Monday the US would intervene militarily if the Chinese mainland were to reunify with the island of Taiwan by force, but also during the Ukraine crisis in which the US-led West is putting a large amount of pressure in attempts to weaken Russia.

China and Russia's latest joint patrol is an annually scheduled routine operation, so it is not related to the QUAD summit or any other event, but it displayed a high level of military cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries, a Beijing-based military expert told the Global Times on Tuesday, requesting anonymity.

It is likely that the joint aerial patrol was backed by maritime activities as well, the expert said, citing recent PLA warship activities in the Sea of Japan and the West Pacific.

On Monday, two Type 054A frigates of the PLA Navy transited the Tsushima Strait from southwest to northeast and headed toward the Sea of Japan, and a Sovremenny-class destroyer of the PLA Navy entered the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Miyako Strait from the East China Sea, according to press releases by Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff on the day.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi called the China-Russia joint patrol "provocative" given the summit in Tokyo, AFP reported.

Since the joint patrol was carried out in international waters, it did not harm other countries' security, so other countries should not make irresponsible remarks about the operation, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

It is because the QUAD summit is aimed at China that Kishi has a guilt conscience to see "provocation" in the patrol, Song said.

The joint patrol will contribute to peace and stability   in the region and the world, analysts said.