July25, 2026

Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff on Saturday again reported the latest location of the China-Russia joint naval task group, claiming that it had confirmed four Chinese and Russian naval vessels proceeding northeast through waters southeast of Cape Nosappu, Hokkaido. A Chinese expert said the joint patrol is likely to complete a circumnavigation of Japan, demonstrating the two navies' ability to break through the so-called island chain blockade while deterring Japan's right-wing forces.

According to a release on its official website, Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff claimed the flotilla, consisting of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Hull 103, the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Hull 124, the type 903A comprehensive supply ship Hull 903 and the Russian Navy's Steregushchiy-class frigate Hull 343, had been spotted continuously since mid-July. 

It claimed the Type 055 destroyer was sighted about 220 kilometers northeast, and the other three vessels were sighted about 130 kilometers southeast, of Cape Inubo, Chiba Prefecture, on July 23. Then, the four ships were confirmed proceeding about 300 kilometers southeast of Cape Nosappu, Hokkaido, on July 25. According to the Japanese side, the vessels had transited south between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island on July 16 before sailing northeast southwest of Okinotori, on July 19, then proceeding northeast southeast of Minami Iwo Jima and north east of Iwo Jima on July 21.

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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1366823.shtml