The last few weeks have been quite busy for the Russian military. First there were the joint naval exercises with China; then military drills in the Far East that included biological and chemical warfare defenses exercises; and now there is “Peace Mission 2013.”
The latter is a joint counter-terrorism drill with China that is currently taking place in the Chelyabinsk region. Representatives from both countries’ air force and army are meeting for a three week course that is designed to improve coordination and cooperation and strengthen the relationship between the two countries’ armed forces. This exercise is stipulated under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and has occurred periodically since 2001.
Shi Xiangyang, the deputy chief of staff of the Chinese Shenyang Military Region, has released a statement explaining the motives behind these maneuvers: “This year the Russian and Chinese presidents have taken the decision to hold the Peace Mission 2013 exercises. We’re glad that both countries have the high level of trust to each other. We’re not competitors, but we’re partners. Trust between the two countries became the unique particularity of the Peace Mission... I’m sure that the Peace Mission 2013 will yield results. This is the new stage of military cooperation between the Chinese and Russian armies.”
Is the global audience prepared for an increase in Russian-Chinese military cooperation? Should these drills be taken seriously; or are they a bluff? Is this an elaborate propaganda stunt? Is Shi Xiangyang suggesting that “Peace Mission 2013” will solidify a Eurasian arms collaboration? Is that beneficial for any other country within the region, such as Japan or North Korea? Are any countries at a direct disadvantage if this kind of dialogue continues?
All of these are pressing questions, but probably the most glaring of all points is that “Peace Mission 2013” has not been discussed in Western media. Russian news outlets have been carrying the story for the past few weeks; Chinese websites have been doing the same—and have even gone so far as to provide images of the exercises; but the Western perspective is conspicuously missing. A Eurasian military alliance—even the potential for one—should trigger serious discussion about future armament policies, diplomatic relationships, and even conceptions of the world order.