According to Huanqiu, the drill centers on standard subjects such as maritime defense, search and rescue, and communications interoperability. The two navies have held exercises under the same name almost every year since 2012.

The exercise's character

Beijing said the drill targets no third party and aims to enhance regional maritime security and the two navies' ability to operate together.

Moscow likewise maintains that the military cooperation is routine exchange consistent with international law and practice.

How neighbors watch

Neighbors including Japan and South Korea are watching the scale and location of the drills, while the United States tracks the deepening China-Russia military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Reactions so far have stayed at the level of statements.

Military analysts view changes in exercise subjects and participating forces as gauges of the partnership's depth. Sinophone Bridge Times reports the drill's progress on the facts.