China is preparing to join Russia in joint naval drills, showing continued support for Moscow (Image: GETTY)
China is preparing to join Russia in joint naval drills, showing continued support for Moscow amid its invasion of Ukraine.
Today, Beijing announced it dispatched navy ships in preparation for joint exercises, which involves more than 10 ships and 30-plus aircraft.
China has insisted it is neutral on the Ukraine war, but has accused the US and its Western allies of provoking Russia.
Meanwhile, the head of MI6 has said Beijing is “complicit” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in a damning indictment from the UK.
READ MORE Moment Russian ammo depot explodes in massive fireball at base in Crimea [LATEST]
Beijing said it dispatched more than 10 ships and 30-plus aircraft in preparation for joint drills (Image: GETTY)
In a press release, China’s Defense Ministry said that its ships had linked up with their Russian counterparts at noon.
Warships sent include the guided missile destroyers Qiqihar and Guiyang, the guided missile frigates Zaozhuang and Rizhao and the supply ship Taihu.
Russian participants included the frigates Gromkiy and Otlichnyy, which have been hosting visitors for a week in the financial hub of Shanghai, China’s largest city and biggest port.
The joint drills focus on ship-to-ship communications, maneuvering in formation and maritime search and rescue, according to Chinese reports.
Richard Moore said Beijing and Xi Jinping are ‘absolutely complicit’ in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, said Beijing and Xi Jinping are “absolutely complicit” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He told Politico: “When Putin invaded Ukraine, the Chinese very clearly supported the Russians.
“They have completely supported the Russians diplomatically, they’ve abstained in key votes at the United Nations, they’ve absolutely cynically repeated all the Russian tropes, particularly in places like Africa and Latin America — blaming NATO and all of this stuff.”
Moore also claimed that MI6 now devotes more resources to tackling China than any other country.
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
Don't miss... Wagner chief Prigozhin spotted alive giving updates to troops after Putin meet [LATEST]
Joe Biden declared victory over Putin while speaking in Helsinki, Finland (Image: GETTY)
And, five days ago, Joe Biden declared victory over Putin while speaking in Helsinki, Finland.
The President, speaking at a news conference at the end of a brief European trip, said: “Putin’s already lost the war.
“Putin has a real problem — how does he move from here? What does he do?
“And so, the idea that there’s going to be, what vehicle is used — he could end the war tomorrow. He could just say, ‘I’m out.’"
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/ExpressUSNews and @ExpressUSNews
Related articles Dramatic moment key territory goes up in smoke after 'massive attack' by Russia Fake Pentagon explosion photo 'crashed' the stock market after going viral EU panders to determined Latin American countries as they refuse to blast Russia All the evidence of Prigozhin's whereabouts after failed Wagner mutiny Blow for Putin as he 'loses' 250,000 soldiers since Ukraine war began