Beijing calls for objective, rational view on China and Russia defense ties

China has called for relevant parties to hold an objective and rational view on defense cooperation between China and Russia, and stop conjectures, hypes and smears, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense said on Friday.

China and Russia have recently conducted a joint sea patrol program — Exercise Joint Sea 2025, during which some countries kept dispatching aircraft and ships to the vicinity of Chinese and Russian task forces.

Jiang Bin, spokesman of China's Ministry of National Defense, underscored on Friday that the exercise program has been held 10 times since 2012, and it has become a key platform for China-Russia military cooperation.

He said the task groups from the two sides have completed planned exercises, including joint air defense, counter-sea and anti-submarine operations, and have transitioned to a joint maritime patrol.

"China and Russia adhere to the principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party in developing bilateral and military relations, and jointly play an important role in safeguarding international and regional peace and stability," he said.

"We hope relevant parties will view defense cooperation between China and Russia objectively and rationally, and stop spreading groundless speculation and smears," Jiang added.