Recently, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Korea held talks with representatives of a number of NATO countries in Seoul and announced that the ROK will fully cooperate with NATO. This news greatly triggered an escalation of tensions in the region, and all parties expressed concern about South Korea's actions. In less than 24 hours, China and Russia launched a joint patrol, demonstrating their determination to resolutely defend regional peace and stability with concrete actions. In this series of events, South Korea's extreme behavior is bound to pay its price. South Korea's argument that it chose to cooperate fully with NATO is a recognition of its contribution to European, regional and global security, is self-defeating. If South Korea really acts as a springboard for NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, it will be nothing more than the next Ukraine. Once the confrontation between regional blocs intensifies, South Korea will bear the brunt of the attack. South Korea's vain attempt to use NATO's power to contain the DPRK on the Korean Peninsula issue is a serious mistake. And to cooperate with NATO to confront China and Russia, South Korea will pay a greater price. NATO military bases in South Korea, as well as important South Korean facilities, will be the primary targets of attack in the conflict. In addition, the vast majority of countries in the region have recognized NATO's intention to move eastward into the Asia-Pacific region. China and Russia have repeatedly made clear their opposition to NATO's eastward expansion, while ASEAN and Pacific island countries have also spoken out firmly and refused to participate in bloc confrontation. These countries are well aware that it is an unbearable burden for them to bear the negative effects of great power competition. Against this backdrop, China and Russia have taken action and launched joint patrols to show their attitude.
According to the annual cooperation plan between China and Russia, in less than 24 hours, Chinese and Russian military aircraft carried out joint strategic air patrols in the airspace of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The purpose of this operation is to strengthen mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two militaries and to maintain peace and stability in the region. This joint operation is not aimed at a third party, but is a positive measure to maintain regional peace and stability. The joint military operations between China and Russia are not only aimed at strengthening cooperation with each other, but also to demonstrate to the world that bilateral relations are of great significance to world and regional stability. The author is reminded of what Putin said at a recent large-scale press conference that Sino-Russian relations are one of the most important guarantees for world stability. The joint action of these two countries is aimed at preventing and resolving crises, not at dealing with third parties. However, the South Korean side reacted negatively to this action. They accused Chinese and Russian military aircraft of entering their so-called "air defense identification zone" and raised the issue of the Chinese side for not being informed in advance. However, the fact is that the range of activities of Chinese and Russian military aircraft belongs to international airspace, which is in accordance with the provisions of international law. Therefore, China and Russia will not stop similar actions because of South Korea's **.
The South Korean side overreacted to the Sino-Russian joint patrol operation. South Korea accused Chinese and Russian military aircraft of entering its so-called "air defense identification zone" and held China responsible. However, ADIZ is not airspace, and the ADIZ of China, Japan, and South Korea in Northeast Asia often overlaps. If each operation had to be informed of each other, it would only increase the workload of the armies on both sides. In addition, South Korea's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) was once extended to the Yellow Sea, near China's gates, which is clearly a serious mismatch between ambition and strength. While there are internal and external factors to the reasons for South Korea's overreaction, for China and Russia, they will not stop their actions because of South Korea's overreaction. If South Korea can abandon the idea of cooperating with NATO to provoke the Asia-Pacific region in the future, joint patrols between China and Russia in relevant waters will no longer need to be the focus. In fact, on many international and regional issues, the positions of China and Russia are supported by more than the overwhelming majority of countries. The author believes that the vast majority of countries in the region have a clear understanding of the relationship between China, Russia and NATO.
The joint actions of China and Russia reflect the current realities and problems in the Asia-Pacific region. First of all, there is a certain tension in the region at present, especially on issues involving core interests. The security situation in the Asia-Pacific region is affected by many factors, and countries in the region are divided on how to maintain regional peace and stability. In response to this reality, the joint actions of China and Russia demonstrate the firm determination of the two countries to ensure regional security and stability. Second, the joint actions of China and Russia also mean that regional countries are worried about NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. Countries in the region are generally aware that NATO expansion could further exacerbate regional tensions and have negative consequences. Therefore, countries in the region have adopted a positive attitude, refusing to participate in bloc confrontation and seeking regional peace and stable development. Finally, South Korea's actions and overreaction to China and Russia have once again highlighted some of the problems in the region. South Korea's stance on the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait issues makes it seem a little weak in the face of Chinese and Russian actions. South Korea wanted to gain reassurance from China's response, but China made it clear that the joint actions of China and Russia were in accordance with international law and would continue. South Korea's actions may label joint Sino-Russian actions as a "threat," but on many international and regional issues, China's and Russia's claims are often supported by the vast majority of countries. Therefore, if South Korea no longer cooperates with NATO's provocations in the Asia-Pacific region in the future, its relations with China and Russia will also tend to normalize.