The statement clarified that the Russian fleet will be led by the anti-submarine destroyer ‘Admiral Tributs’, while the Chinese side will be led by the destroyer ‘Shaoxing’. Diesel-electric submarines and naval aviation from both countries will also participate in the exercises. The fleet confirmed that the maneuvers are defensive in nature and are not targeting any other country, noting that they will include both coastal and maritime components.
The statement also mentioned that earlier, the ‘Shaoxing’ and ‘Urumqi’ destroyers, a diesel-electric submarine, the comprehensive supply ship ‘Qiandaohu’, and the submarine rescue ship ‘Xihu’ arrived in Vladivostok. These ships are docked alongside the Russian destroyer ‘Admiral Tributs’, the frigate ‘Gromky’, as well as the submarine ‘Volkhov’ and the rescue ship ‘Igor Belousov’, all of which will participate in the maneuvers.
Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang previously stated that part of the participating forces will conduct a joint naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean after the conclusion of the sixth routine training exercise. He emphasized that these maneuvers are part of the annual cooperation plan between the Russian and Chinese militaries, not directed against any third party, and are unrelated to the current international or regional situation.
