China and Russia have started a three-day joint naval exercise called ‘Joint Sea-2025’ in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. The drills include submarine rescue, air and missile defense, and naval combat operations. The exercise aims to deepen their strategic partnership amid global tensions led by the U.S. While Russia calls the exercise defensive, Japan views the growing military cooperation as a serious security threat. China maintains neutrality but supports Russia economically amid ongoing Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.