Chinese and Russian naval forces have gathered in a port in eastern China to take part in an annual joint military drill titled Joint Sea‑2026.
China’s Defense Ministry and Russian state media announced on Sunday that the one-week “Joint Sea‑2026” naval exercises will be held off China’s coast in “waters and airspace” off Qingdao, from July 6 to 13 in the Yellow Sea, the body of water separating China from the Korean peninsula.
The drill will be followed by joint maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean.
Select forces from both sides will proceed to conduct joint maritime patrols.
The objective of the joint military drill is to enhance security cooperation with the aim of maintaining regional stability.
A statement issued by China’s defence ministry statement said, “Following the exercises, some of the forces from both sides will proceed to relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean to carry out joint maritime patrols.” The statement did not specifying the exact location of the continued drills.
The drills are an annual occurrence, “aimed at jointly addressing security challenges and maintaining regional peace and stability”, it added.
Russian state-run RIA news agency said a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine and a rescue vessel from Russia’s Pacific Fleet had arrived in Qingdao to participate in the drills, which would run from July 6 to 13.
A separate statement issued by the Chinese military’s Northern Theater Command said two destroyers, a frigate, a submarine, a supply ship and a rescue vessel will take part.
The drills will cover reconnaissance, air and missile defense and surface strikes, it said.
It added all participating forces had already arrived in Qingdao, a major military port and resort in China’s east..
The joint exercise is part of an established annual cooperation framework between China and Russia and includes naval and aerial operations.
Military experts say these exercises are a key element in Sino‑Russian military cooperation, bolstering interoperability, signaling strategic alignment, and demonstrating a continued deepening of their security partnership.
The two countries have developed closer economic and diplomatic ties in past years, and their relations are strengthened by shared opposition to the United States’ hegemony.
The “Joint Sea” exercises have been held since 2012.
Speaking at a ceremony in Qingdao, Russian Rear Admiral Sergei Sinko said that “Joint Sea-2026” was aimed at “strengthening the strategic partnership between our countries” and ensuring “peace and stability” in the region, according to TASS news agency.
The drills come about two months after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin visited China.
Putin said at the time relations had reached an “unprecedentedly high level”, while Chinese leader Xi Jinping hailed an “unyielding” partnership. Both leaders had jointly condemned the US-Israeli war on Iran, calling for dialogue as the only way to end the destabilizing issues.
