On December 7, China announced that it and Russia had conducted a third joint missile defense exercise on Russian territory in early December.
China's Ministry of National Defense stated that this activity is not aimed at any third party and does not stem from current international developments.
According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the goal of the exercise is to enhance coordination capacity between the two countries' forces in the context of many fluctuations in the global security environment.
Russia and China previously held discussions on missile defense and strategic stability last month. The two sides also conducted artillery and anti-submarine exercises in August, continuing the regular military exercise that the two countries have pledged.
These activities take place within the framework of the unlimited strategic partnership signed right before the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in 2022. Under the agreement, the two countries agreed to maintain periodic drills to improve the coordination between the Russian and Chinese military.
Both Russia and China have expressed concern about US President Donald Trump's plan to build a "golden dome" missile shield. According to the two countries, this orientation could impact the global strategic balance and create new risks to international security.
In addition, Mr. Trump's statement about the intention to resume nuclear weapons testing after more than three decades of interruption also caught Moscow and Beijing's attention, in the context of the weapons control mechanisms facing many challenges.
The latest missile defense exercise was described by the two countries as the next step in the process of strengthening military cooperation. China said the holding of the drill in Russian territory demonstrated a high level of trust between the two sides, while helping to strengthen the common response to the risks of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
This activity is seen as a sign of the long-term cooperation orientation that Russia and China are pursuing.
