The corvette Sovershenny of the Russian Pacific Fleet arrived at the planned area in the Korean Strait, near Jeju Island, to join the Chinese Navy ships in the fourth joint patrol in the Asia-Pacific, according to the military agency’s information.

The note specifies that during the mission “it is planned to exercise joint anti-submarine and anti-aircraft defense actions, as well as rescue operations at sea.”

The objectives of the joint patrol are to strengthen naval cooperation between Russia and China, maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, monitor the sea area and protect the maritime economic activity of both countries, the statement said. The Russian ship set sail Tuesday from its base in Vladivostok to join the Chinese naval group consisting of the destroyer Yinchuan, the frigate Hengshui and the supply ship Weishanhu.

The navies of the two powers began joint patrols in 2021.

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