Partnership at ‘new height’
Russia and China launched joint military drills amid tensions with West and concerns about instability spilling over from Afghanistan.
Russia and China have launched joint military drills amid tensions with Western countries and concerns about instability spilling over from Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US forces.
More than 10,000 troops, as well as their air forces, are participating in the five-day Zapad/Interaction-2021 drills in Ningxia Hui, northwestern China.
The autonomous region is close to Xinjiang, where more than a million Muslims have been incarcerated as part of what China has portrayed as a fight against extremism. Xinjiang has a border with Afghanistan.
Xinhua, the state-run news agency, said the drills were aimed at “safeguarding international and regional security and stability” and were a “new height” in a strategic partnership with Moscow.
China has deployed its J-20 stealth fighter jets and Y-20 large transport planes to the drills.
Russia has sent Su-30SM fighters and air defence systems. Long-range multiple rocket launcher systems, surface-to-air missiles, drones and self-propelled howitzers were on display at the opening ceremony.
Chinese troops will operate Russia’s T-72B3 tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles and Igla-S air defence missiles, while Russian forces have been provided with Chinese assault guns and infantry fighting vehicles.
The Times
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