China-Russia joint patrol reflects mutual resolve on regional security

China and Russia's joint aerial strategic patrol demonstrates their shared resolve and capacity to address regional security challenges and safeguard peace and stability, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Wednesday.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to comments by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi regarding the China-Russia military operation.

Koizumi said in a post on X on Wednesday that the Russian and Chinese joint operation was "clearly intended as a show of force" against Japan and posed a major concern to its national security.

Zhang clarified that the Chinese and Russian air forces conducted their 10th joint aerial strategic patrol over the East China Sea and the western Pacific on Tuesday.

"The operation was carried out under the two militaries' annual cooperation plan," he noted, underscoring their shared resolve and capability to address regional security challenges and safeguard peace and stability.