Zhang Xiaogang Photo:mod.gov.cn

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said on Wednesday that the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol, which was conducted over the East China Sea and the western Pacific on Tuesday, is part of the annual cooperation plan, and it demonstrated the two sides' determination and capability to jointly address regional security challenges and safeguard regional peace and stability, in responding to a request for comment on Japan's claims of the patrol raising concern and posing a national security threat.

Global Times