[Chinese and Russian warships are spreading around Japan's surrounding waters]

According to the latest tracking data released by Japan on July 21, after departing from the waters near Okinotorishima Island, the Chinese and Russian warships have been moving in a northeasterly direction. On July 21, they continued traveling northward past the eastern waters of Iwo Jima. Meanwhile, three Russian warships were spotted near Hokkaido and crossed the Soya Strait on July 20. At present, the waters around Japan appear to be filled with Chinese and Russian naval vessels.

Quoting information from Japan’s Defense Ministry, Kyodo News reported that this joint Chinese-Russian fleet operating in southern Japanese waters includes three Chinese warships and one Russian frigate. The three Chinese ships consist of one Type 055 large destroyer, one Type 052D destroyer, and one Type 903 replenishment ship. Generally speaking, when a replenishment ship accompanies a fleet, it indicates prolonged operations at sea. On July 19, the Chinese and Russian warships conducted live-fire exercises; Japan urgently dispatched warships nearby for monitoring and intelligence gathering.

However, the Chinese and Russian warships did not remain in the waters near Okinotorishima but continued their northward movement. By July 21, they had directly passed through the eastern waters of Iwo Jima. According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, the Chinese and Russian fleets are still continuing their northward journey.

In addition to this maritime joint task force, Chinese and Russian naval activities around Japan’s surrounding waters have recently become highly frequent. Based on information recently disclosed by Japan, on July 19, one Chinese Type 815 electronic reconnaissance vessel was active in the Miyako waters. On the same day, one Russian submarine and one submarine rescue ship passed through the northern waters near Yonaguni Island. On July 20, three Russian warships were detected near Hokkaido, heading eastward across the Soya Strait. Analysts believe these movements are likely related to joint naval drills between China and Russia, but may also be sending a certain message to Japan.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871414652169228/

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