China and Russia have launched their annual Joint Sea-2026 naval exercises in waters and airspace near the major eastern port of Qingdao in Shandong Province. The drills, themed around joint response to maritime security threats, involve establishing a joint command, tactical coordination, reconnaissance, air and missile defense training, and live-fire exercises. Selected forces from both navies will follow up with a joint patrol in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean.
Source: Video Screenshot
The exercises began on the same day China’s navy successfully test-fired a strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific Ocean at 12:01 p.m. Beijing time on July 6, 2026. The missile landed accurately in the designated high-seas area, according to a statement from a Chinese navy spokesperson and official Xinhua reporting.
The test has drawn swift criticism from regional powers. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the launch as “destabilizing” despite prior notification, while Japan strongly urged China to reconsider and New Zealand called the timing unwelcome, noting the missile entered the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone.
These developments underscore deepening China-Russia military cooperation following President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Beijing, where both leaders highlighted an “unprecedentedly high level” of relations and an “unyielding” partnership.
For more on the naval drills and participating vessels: China and Russia Joint Naval Drills 2026: Joint Sea-2026 Exercise Near Qingdao
Additional context on China’s military modernization perspective: China Says Growing Its Military Helps World Peace Amid Regional Reports
AFP reports: China and Russia launched annual joint naval exercises off the Chinese coast on Monday, as Beijing test-fired a strategic missile into the Pacific Ocean.
The two countries have close diplomatic ties and have held regular joint military drills in recent years, prompting suspicion from Western governments that accuse China of supporting Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The “Joint Sea-2026” exercise began in the eastern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday, Beijing’s defence ministry said in a statement.
The two navies established a joint command and took part in “command and tactical coordination” exercises, the statement said.
They will later conduct joint reconnaissance, air and missile defence and live-fire training, it added.
Following the drills, the two navies will participate in a joint patrol in the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese defence ministry said on Sunday, without specifying where.
The drills began the same day China launched a “strategic missile carrying a training simulation warhead” into the Pacific Ocean, according to a separate statement from a Chinese navy spokesperson.
It was not immediately clear if the missile launch was part of the drills.
Beijing and Moscow have held their “Joint Sea” exercises since 2012, with last year’s edition near the eastern Russian port of Vladivostok also followed by joint patrols in the Pacific.
This year’s 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.
Original article: China Russia Naval Exercise 2026: Joint Sea-2026 Drills Launch Off Qingdao as Beijing Tests Missile in Pacific on Planet Today 🚀
Automatically republished from the main blog.