China's military said on Wednesday that joint aerial exercises conducted on Tuesday with Russia over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific were not directed at any country.
The patrol, the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was part of an annual military exercise, China's defence ministry had said on its website on Tuesday.
The exercises near Japanese and South Korea air defence zones took place as US President Joe Biden wrapped up a trip to Asia, where he angered China by saying he would be willing to respond militarily to defend Taiwan if it came under Chinese attack.
China and Russia have held such patrols in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but in the latter half of the year.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Utilise Unique Ties To Tell Putin To End War Against Ukraine: US To India Indian Vlogger Forces Scooter Lift, Travels Ticketless In Bus In China, Internet Outraged US Urges India To "Utilize" Ties With Russia, Tell Putin To End Ukraine War Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold UGC Launches Project To Develop 22,000 Books In Indian Languages IPS Officer's Husband Laundered Money In India, Abroad: Probe Agency Government Announces Partial Rollback Of Fee Hike In 13 Medical Colleges Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.