Rumors Of War As Russia And China Begin Massive War Drills Near Japan

Chinese H-6 Bombers ‘Practice’ Sinking US Aircraft Carriers While Russia, China Begin Massive War Drills Near Japan: Analysis

Parth Satam

Four Russian warships set off for the East China Sea (ECS) to join China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels for week-long exercises, signifying increasing strategic convergence between the two countries.

To be held off the coast of Zhejiang under China’s Eastern Theatre Command (ETC), the four Russian warships have been identified as the missile cruiser Varyag, the destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov and two corvettes from Russia’s Pacific Fleet.

NATO, US & Japan – Russia & China’s Enemies

On November 30, the bomber aircraft of the two countries – China’s H-6K and Russia’s TU-95 – flew together in strategic air patrols over the East China Sea (ECS) near Japanese waters and later cross-landed in each other’s territory.

Both countries perceive US attempts to contain them and Japanese militarization since it rekindles memories from World War 2. Most importantly, China also perceives the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as destabilizing as it expands in East Asia by increasing cooperation with Japan.

“The active part of the exercise will include joint missile and artillery firing against air targets, artillery firing against sea targets, and practicing joint anti-submarine actions with the practical use of weapons,” the Russian statement said.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command (ETC) said the joint exercise “demonstrates the determination and capability of the two sides to jointly respond to maritime security threats and further deepen the China-Russia comprehensive new-era strategic partnership of coordination,” the notice said.

Even without a formal military alliance, the scale and consistency of the military exercises between the countries are staggering. They indicate the massive alignment in geopolitical views and assessments of American foreign policy.

With Russia-Japan relations tense over the Kuril islands, Far East Asia is expected to be the next tinderbox having three flashpoints alone, with China being a party in all three – the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Straits.

China’s H-6 Bombers Prepare For Action

As for the East and South China Seas, Japan’s new national security strategy and increasing dalliance with Taiwan have raised the hackles in Beijing. China’s H-6K/J bombers flew through the Miyako Strait on Monday, the same day Japan released the document.

The aim could be to practice firing anti-ship missiles on US aircraft carrier battle groups and land-attack cruise missiles on Guam.

Moreover, entering the Pacific Ocean by crossing the Miyako Strait can also allow H-6 bombers to fire on the US Andersen Air Force at Guam. The 2000-kilometer range CJ-20 air-launched cruise missiles and the YJ-21 anti-ship missiles could be used for these purposes.

This is the third time H-6K/J bombers have passed through Miyako Strait this year, after May and June. In general, Chinese military passages through the Miyako Strait are not uncommon and have been happening for the last several years.

The Japanese military has been closely tracking them.

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