China and Russia are scheduled to hold joint naval and air exercises, known as “Joint Sea-2026,” near Qingdao in eastern China. Multiple outlets report that the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announces the drills as part of an annual cooperation plan. The exercises are set to take place in waters and airspace off Qingdao, a major port city on China’s coast. One report specifies the timing as running from Monday through July 13, though at least one source notes that details such as the exact dates and the composition of forces are not fully disclosed in the announcement.
Following the exercises, the two countries’ navies are expected to conduct joint maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. China describes the maneuvers as aimed at maintaining regional stability, but the sources agree on the broad nature and location of the drills without providing further operational specifics. No information is provided across the reports about the number of ships or aircraft involved, or about participation from other countries.
