Chinese and Russian strategic bombers held a joint patrol in the Asia-Pacific region on Nov. 19, the third of its kind between the two countries, the Chinese and Russian defense ministries announced in a joint release. Two H-6K bombers from China and two Tu-95MC bombers from Russia were sent to carry out a joint patrol in related airspace over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. The Chinese Defense Ministry stressed that the aircraft “strictly abided by the relevant provisions of international law and did not enter the airspace of other countries” during the flight. The operation, the ministries clarified, was part of China and Russia’s annual military cooperation plan and was not directed against any third party. Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu detailed to President Vladimir Putin, at the president’s meeting with permanent members of Russia’s Security Council on Nov. 19, that the flight had lasted …