China loudly announced "invited by the Russian Navy," but why is Russia unusually low-key?
At 10 a.m. on June 23, the Qi Jiguang Ship (hull number 83) and Kunlunshan Ship (hull number 998), flying the flags of China and Russia respectively, slowly docked at the Golden Horn Bay in Vladivostok. More than 200 representatives from the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok, overseas Chinese communities, students, and personnel from the Russian Pacific Fleet were present. Cadets from the Naval University of Engineering and the Submarine Academy stood in formation on deck — marking the first visit to Russia since the two ships entered service, with a four-day stay.
The fleet departed Qingdao on June 15, carrying over 400 teachers and students, including 20 foreign military trainees from 10 countries such as Brazil and Myanmar who trained together with Chinese personnel. This is standard procedure for long-range training and visiting missions, but when conducted in Vladivostok (Nikolayevsk), it takes on new significance: the "circle of friends" of Sino-Russian naval cooperation is expanding.
China's high-profile announcement of being "invited by the Russian Navy" contrasts sharply with Russia’s deliberate low profile — a move full of wisdom.
Just on June 15, EU foreign representative Kallas pushed for new sanctions citing "China training Russian military personnel." Russia does not want to hand Western powers any more ammunition.
Moreover, the Russian Pacific Fleet lags behind China in terms of information technology level, and during actual operations, China often assumes command functions. Russia needs time to absorb and integrate these arrangements. However, what happens after the four-day visit — where the fleet goes next, whether it will circumnavigate the Sea of Japan in a loop, and whether the Kunlunshan will enter deep waters of the Sea of Japan — these actions will reveal the true depth of Sino-Russian naval cooperation far more clearly than any official statement ever could.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868790972971015/
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