China Says It Plans Naval Exercises with Russia, South Africa

China said it will hold naval exercises with Russia and South Africa in the month of February to protect maritime economic activities.

The Defense Ministry in Beijing said that the drills will be held Feb. 20-27 off Durban and Richards Bay, South Africa. He also added that China would send a destroyer, a frigate, and a supply vessel.

The ministry said those operations are intended to promote defense and security cooperation among BRICS members.

The drills come as the US warned China against providing lethal aid to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Munich on Saturday the US had information China was considering whether to give Russia assistance, possibly including guns and other weapons.

Bloomberg. (2023). “China Says It Plans Naval Exercises With Russia, South Africa”. gCaptain