China and Russia to hold annual joint naval drills

China and Russia will conduct annual joint naval drills from Monday to July 13 off Qingdao, China. These exercises will be followed by joint maritime patrols in unspecified areas of the Pacific Ocean. Russian naval vessels, including a cruiser and a submarine, have arrived in Qingdao for the drills. China's participating forces include destroyers and a frigate. The drills are expected to involve reconnaissance, air and missile defense, and surface-strike exercises. This event follows Russian President Putin's recent visit to China, where both leaders described their bilateral relations as reaching a high level. The two countries have held joint naval exercises since 2012.

Russian naval vessels, including the Varyag cruiser and Ufa submarine, arrived in Qingdao, China, on Sunday for annual Joint Sea exercises. These drills, part of a bilateral cooperation plan, will commence on Monday and conclude the following week. The exercises are intended to address security challenges and promote regional peace and stability, according to the Chinese defense ministry. Following the drills, some participating forces will conduct joint maritime patrols in the Pacific Ocean. A corvette and a rescue ship will also join the Russian cruiser and submarine in the exercises.