China & Russia To Kick Off Joint Military Exercises In Caucuses As Ties Deepen

It’s been no secret that over the past two years the tumultuous and historically antagonistic relationship between Russian and China has warmed, with Presidents Putin and Xi enjoying a rapid thawing of tensions amid mutual visits over the years in common cause aimed at the “mutual enemy” of Washington and its sanctions.

This has been accompanied by a corresponding positive military to military relationship as well — something that would have been unheard of throughout much of the 20th century. 

And now the two major powers are set to kick off the “Caucus 2020” joint war games in southern Russia which will run in late September.

The Associated Press reports “Chinese and Russian forces will take part in joint military exercises in southern Russia later this month along with troops from Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan and others, China’s defense ministry announced Thursday.”

The drills are expected to run for a week at the end of September, from the 21st through 26th, and will feature PLA infantry units, armored carriers, upgraded transport aircraft, and light weaponry, according to China’s defense ministry.

The defense ministry further underscored that China-Russia ties are increasing “at this important moment when the whole world is fighting the pandemic,” according to the statement.

The ongoing military cooperation among the countries is the continued outgrowth of Beijing and Moscow’s “comprehensive strategic partnership” two decades ago which the US has kept a close and worrisome eye on.