A Chinese Naval fleet was seen on Sunday sailing through an international strait between Russia and Japan for the first time, Agence France-Presse reported.
The two missile destroyers, two frigates and a supply ship passed through the Soya Strait from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk early Sunday, the ministry said.
Two missile destroyers, two frigates, and a supply ship passed through the Soya Strait during joint Russia-China military exercises. The purpose of the ships’ passage is unknown.
Tensions have been growing over China’s island disputes with Japan and other neighbors.
Chinese government surveillance ships have frequently approached the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which are also claimed by China as the Diaoyus, since Japan nationalized some of them last September.
Chinese army chief of general staff General Fang Fenghui earlier said the joint drills were "not targeting any third party", according to the official Chinese Xinhua news agency.
