International relationsChina, Russia strengthen ties over Far East seas with bomber patrol
Flight during Quad summit showcased strength of long-standing security ties
A Russian TU-95 bomber. Two TU-95 aircraft were involved in the May 24 joint patrol with China. (Japanese Ministry of Defense via Reuters)
RIEKO MIKI, HIROSHI ASAHINA and RYO NEMOTO, Nikkei staff writers
TOKYO -- The patrol by Chinese and Russian military planes near Japan during this week's Quad summit was the latest in a long line of joint exercises that aim to help the two countries' forces coordinate more effectively in the region, even as Beijing opts not to militarily support Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine.