In a show of military cooperation, China and Russia have commenced a joint naval exercise at a military port in southern China, as reported by the official news agency Xinhua. The exercise comes just days after NATO allies dubbed China a "decisive enabler" in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Chinese defense ministry clarified in a statement that the joint operation, which began in Guangdong province, does not involve any international or regional situations and is not targeted towards any third party. The exercise, expected to last until mid-July, aims to showcase the navies' capabilities in addressing security threats and maintaining global and regional peace and stability.

State broadcaster CCTV reported that the drills will include anti-missile exercises, sea strikes, and air defense, demonstrating the depth of cooperation between the Chinese and Russian forces. Following the opening ceremony in the city of Zhanjiang, the two navies carried out on-map military simulations and tactical coordination exercises, according to Xinhua News Agency.

These joint drills come amidst escalating tensions between China and NATO allies. In a strongly worded final communiqué, NATO members at their summit in Washington labeled China as a "decisive enabler" in Russia's war against Ukraine. This highlights how European and North American members, along with their Indo-Pacific partners, view shared security concerns emerging from Russia and its Asian ally, China.

In response, China accused NATO of prioritizing its own security at the expense of others and advised the alliance not to bring "chaos" to Asia. The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated that China holds a fair and objective stance on the Ukraine conflict.

Last week, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on patrol in the Bering Sea encountered several Chinese military ships in international waters but within the U.S. exclusive economic zone, according to American officials. The crew of the cutter spotted three vessels north of the Amchitka Pass in the Aleutian Islands, followed by a fourth ship near the Amukta Pass. However, the U.S. side acknowledged that the Chinese naval vessels operated within international rules and norms.

The joint naval exercise between China and Russia serves as a display of their military capabilities and a show of solidarity amidst increasing tensions with NATO. While China maintains that its stance on the conflict in Ukraine is fair and objective, its involvement in joint drills with Russia raises concerns about its strategic intentions.

The exercise will undoubtedly be closely monitored by global observers, with implications for regional security dynamics and the evolving geopolitical landscape.