China and Russia have commenced naval exercises with live-fire drills in the South China Sea. In recent years, the two nations have strengthened their military and trade ties following US sanctions against both countries, according to Reuters. The state-run Chinese newspaper Global Times, referencing the Chinese Navy, wrote that both countries would deploy at least three ships for the three-day exercises. Russian media reports indicate plans to conduct artillery firing as part of the joint exercises. The exercises followed a separate joint naval patrol in the northern Pacific Ocean, which incl…