 The drill started from a military port in the southern city of Zhanjiang and will last throughout the week. China's government said the naval drills are to, quote, enhance the collaboration and professional levels of the two navies. The drills are also assigned to NATO allies, who wrapped up a meeting in Washington, D.C., last Thursday. The member countries issued a strong statement at that meeting, saying they believed Beijing was key to allowing Russia to continue fighting in Ukraine despite strict Western sanctions.