China and Russia announced they will hold their annual joint naval exercises, named "Joint Sea-2026," this month. The drills will take place in the waters and airspace off Qingdao, a major military port and seaside resort in eastern China, according to a statement from Beijing's defence ministry on July 5.
Following the exercises, naval forces from both countries will conduct joint maritime patrols in unspecified areas of the Pacific Ocean. This marks a continuation of their military cooperation, which has included similar exercises and patrols since 2012.
The announcement comes about two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China, where he described bilateral relations as having reached an "unprecedentedly high level." Chinese leader Xi Jinping hailed the partnership as "unyielding."
Moscow and Beijing maintain close economic and diplomatic ties, strengthened by their shared opposition to a global order dominated by Washington. The joint naval drills are aimed at responding to security challenges and safeguarding regional peace and stability.
Beijing and Moscow have held the "Joint Sea" exercises annually since 2012, with last year's drills near the Russian port of Vladivostok also followed by joint Pacific patrols.
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