China and Russia have teamed up with Iran to carry out military exercises as the US lead naval drills to protect merchant ships from missile attacks.
Exercises in the Gulf of Oman began on Tuesday as China announced that a destroyer, a frigate and a naval supply ship would be deployed alongside Russian and Iranian counterparts.
Iranian-backed rebel group, the Houthis have launched attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea in response to Israel's actions on Gaza.
The Houthis have confirmed that Russian and Chinese ships are not a target.
Warships attend the Maritime Security Belt 2024 international naval exercise of Russia, China and Iran in the Gulf of Oman
Reuters
It comes as the US intelligence agencies revealed their "annual threat assessment" to Congress.
The assessment warned that China, Russia and Iran were "challenging longstanding rules of the international system as well as US primacy within it".
China has said it condemns the shipping attacks and that it "has been making active efforts to ease the tension in the Red Sea".
Previously, Beijing has worked with the US to stop Somali pirates launching attacks in the Gulf of Oman.
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China has been urged to help put an end to Houthi attacks with its influence over Iran.
However, it remains unclear how much influence it has over Tehran.
The latest naval exercise comes as China’s parliament met for the National People’s Congress which suggested a stronger stance against the US and the West.
The US threat assessment was published alongside the Biden administration’s proposed budget for next year.
Exercises in the Gulf of Oman began on Tuesday as China announced that a destroyer, a frigate and a naval supply ship would be deployed alongside Russian and Iranian counterparts
Reuters
In response to the US threat assessment, Wang Wenbin, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, accused the US of "malicious competition that sets traps everywhere for opponents and hinders progress".
He said: "If one tries to suppress China at all costs, in the end, it will only harm oneself.
"We hope that the US side will correct its misconceptions about China."