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July 25, China and RussiabomberJoint cruise, Chinese Air Force H-6 appeared near Alaska for the first time. More than 20 days later, the US media brought up the old story again, hyping that the Sino-Russian military exercises are becoming more and more "provocative", sending a signal of "confronting the West", and Washington may not be ready to "defeat" this "alliance" on the Asian battlefield.

The New York Times reported on August 13 that China and Russia have established an informal "political and economic alliance" to confront the West. The newspaper ignored the fact that the United States has repeatedly provoked China's periphery, and instead claimed that China and Russia have strengthened cooperation through increasingly "provocative joint military exercises", and also added that the Sino-Russian naval live-fire exercises in the South China Sea held a few days ago, believing that these all reflect the consistency of the two countries - "seeking to challenge the main geopolitical rival, the United States."

The report said that China is frustrated by the US's trade restrictions and the alliances it has built in Asia. Alexander Korolev, an expert on Sino-Russian relations at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said that in the difficult geopolitical situation, Russia is the only "ally" that China can make a difference.

"Beijing is increasingly aware that diplomatic and economic actions are not enough to make Washington understand its point of view, so it relies more on its military power as a tool to send signals. Cooperation with Russia is one way Beijing conveys its message," Brian Hart, a researcher at the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, also exaggerated.

The New York Times pointed out that the United States has long rarely considered the possibility of joint operations between China and Russia, and this exercise has made people doubt whether the United States can defeat this joint force in a war in Asia.

Chinese Air Force H-6 appears near Alaska for the first time

During the Sino-Russian strategic air cruise at the end of July, the Chinese Air Force's H-6 appeared near Alaska for the first time. CNN reported that it was not uncommon for Russian aircraft to enter the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, but it was the first time that the Chinese and Russian militaries conducted joint operations in the airspace. The New York Times said that this was to send an effective signal.

On July 25, a Chinese bomber (left) and a Russian bomber conducted joint exercises near Alaska. The Russian Ministry of Defense provided the picture to Reuters

According to the investigation of the Advanced Science and Technology Research Center of the University of Tokyo, the two Chinese Air Force H-6K bombers and two Russian Tu-95MS bombers should have taken off from an airport in eastern Russia. If they took off from China, the longest flight range of the aircraft is about 3,700 miles, and it is impossible to go directly.

The report said that the use of Russian air bases by Chinese military aircraft means that the two militaries may communicate and cooperate and use each other's resources. In the military, this is called "interoperability." This also reflects the growing trust between the two countries. In addition, China and Russia have also hinted at the establishment of a shared missile defense system to provide timely nuclear strike warnings, allowing the two countries to respond more quickly.

In response to the China-Russia joint strategic air cruise, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, said on July 25 that this was the eighth strategic air cruise organized by the two militaries since 2019, which further tested and improved the level of cooperation between the two air forces and deepened the strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation between the two countries. This action is not aimed at any third party, is in line with relevant international law and international practice, and has nothing to do with the current international and regional situation.

"This support will make China harder to defeat"

The US, however, turned a deaf ear to China's response and continued to hype up Sino-Russian military cooperation. A report released last month by the National Defense Strategy Commission, authorized by the US Congress, said that the deepening alliance between China and Russia is "the most important strategic development in recent years." The New York Times quoted military experts as saying that although the Chinese and Russian militaries are far from being as integrated as the US military and its NATO partners, the growing cooperation between the two countries has caused concern in Washington.

Averell Haines, the director of national intelligence, said at a U.S. Senate hearing earlier this year that U.S. officials need to consider how Russia might help if a conflict breaks out in Taiwan. Becca Wasser, who oversees military exercises at the Center for a New American Security, a U.S. think tank, claimed that Russia would help "reduce (U.S.) resources and attention on China," which does not necessarily mean joining a conflict in Asia.

Oriana Skylar Mastro (Chinese name Mei Huilin), a researcher on international issues at Stanford University in the United States, said that Russia can do a lot to help China, but fighting is not included.

The New York Times analyzed that if Russia helps China in any conflict, the biggest difference is that it will bring the deterrence of the world's largest nuclear arsenal. In addition, if the United States and its allies successfully impose a maritime blockade on China, Russia's 2,500-mile land border with China may be crucial for the delivery of weapons, oil and other supplies. Russia can also deny other countries access to the airspace near its border, especially near Japan.

"In a protracted war, this support would make China much harder to defeat," Mastro said.

However, the New York Times brought up the matter again after many days, seemingly expressing "concern" about the United States, but in essence it was exaggerating the China threat theory and looking for excuses for the US military to continue causing trouble in the Asia-Pacific region.

Zhang Junshe, a naval military expert, told Guancha.com that "the long-term close reconnaissance of China and Russia by the United States is one of the sources of risk." The United States is the world's largest surveillance and reconnaissance country, and has long been conducting intelligence activities around the world. The United States frequently sends ships and aircraft to conduct close reconnaissance around China, which seriously endangers China's national security and undermines regional peace and stability.

Zhang Junshe said that the strategic cruise of China and Russia is not aimed at any third party and has nothing to do with the security situation in the region. This move demonstrates our determination and ability to maintain global strategic stability. In addition, this action has also improved the air cruise and coordination capabilities of both sides. Countries that have no bad intentions towards China should not feel threatened.

Source: Observer.com