Sino-Russian first joint military exercise since COVID-19

Russia is set to join a strategic military exercise with China at the training base of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Qingtongxia of China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from August 9 to 13. The joint military drill named ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 consists of more than ten thousand troops from both parties in practice for joint reconnaissance, early warning, electronic information attacks and firepower strikes. The invitation was confirmed by the Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during his meeting with the Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on July 28 and was announced in the subsequent Chinese Ministry of National Defence (MND) press conference on July 29.

According to the spokesperson for the MND, Wu Qian, the exercise is conducted in the theme of jointly safeguarding regional and security and stability. Despite previously the PLA has participated in several Russian strategic exercises, ZAPAD/INTERACTION-2021 marks the first Chinese invitation to a third-country in participation in its annual hallmark military exercise. This signals the end of PRC’s reticence in opening its major military exercises and its growing confidence in showcasing foreign countries its military performances. Commented by the CCP’s Global Times, the joint military practice shows that Sino-Russian relations have reached an ‘unprecedented level’. As the first joint military drill since the breakout of covid-19, both countries are signalling their capacities to coordinate and mutual trust amid pandemic.

The fact that the exercise takes place in the western region of China also demonstrates the leadership’s increasing concerns for Afghanistan following the final withdrawal of the US troops. Shortly before the start of the ZAPA/INTERACTION-2021, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan already carried out a joint military exercise at the Afghan-Tajik border on August 5.