Russian and Chinese warships have held their first joint patrols in the Pacific Ocean, Moscow has said.

The two countries, which staged naval manoeuvres together in the Sea of Japan earlier this month, have forged closer military and diplomatic ties in recent years as relations with the West have deteriorated.

The combined Russia and China fleet included destroyers, frigates, a refuelling vessel and missile-tracking ship.

The naval exercise has been closely watched by Japan, which said earlier this week that a group of 10 vessels from China and Russia had sailed through the Tsugaru Strait, separating Japan’s main island and its northern island of Hokkaido, into the western Pacific.

The middle of the 100-mile stretch of sea, which is between 15 to 25 miles (24 to 40 km) wide, is regarded as international waters.

Japan’s territorial waters in the area reach just three miles off shore, rather than the normal 12 miles.

This dates back to a Cold War agreement, to enable nuclear-armed US warships and submarines to transit the strait without violating Japan’s ban on the weapons in its territory.

US President Joe Biden says America will defend Taiwan if China attacks

China removes broadcasts of NBA games after Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter called for Tibetan independence

MPs and peers call for review of parliamentary pensions over China investment concerns

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Russia’s defence ministry said in the statement said: “The group of ships passed through the Tsugaru Strait for the first time as part of the patrol.

“The tasks of the patrols were the demonstration of the Russian and Chinese state flags, maintaining of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and guardianship of the subjects of maritime economic activities of the two countries.”

Related posts:

Ghana receives 600,000 free doses of COVID vaccine as part of global scheme ‘History has been made’: Ex-Syrian agent convicted by German court in torture trial At least 32 people killed after two trains collide in Egypt Spain to trial four-day working week in bid to prevent new COVID outbreaks Tory grandee’s daughter-in-law transferred to prison after police officer shot dead in Belize ‘Broken heads and bloodshed’ – China’s leader warns foreign powers at centenary event Beijing Winter Olympics to admit spectators from mainland China only Women travel outside Texas to end pregnancies as abortion ban causes deep division G20 summit failed to meet moment as world leaders ‘fluffed their lines’ with weak climate pledge Nine firefighters killed after cave collapses during training exercise in Brazil Australian scientists ‘conclusively confirm’ wreck of Captain Cook’s Endeavour found Islamic State leader blows himself and his family up during US raid in Syria