China, Russia to hold joint drill near Qingdao, then cruise into Pacific

2026-07-06

China, Russia to hold joint drill near Qingdao

China's Defense Ministry said on the 5th that the Chinese and Russian militaries will conduct a joint exercise, 'Maritime Interaction 2026', in July in waters and airspace near Qingdao, Shandong province. After the drill, some units will move to the Pacific and carry out a joint patrol. The move appears aimed at intimidating Japan and others.

In a statement, the ministry said the two countries will 'work together to address security challenges and safeguard regional peace and stability'. According to Russian state news agency Sputnik, the exercise will take place in the Yellow Sea from the 6th to the 13th, with China deploying destroyers and frigates and Russia sending cruisers and submarines, among other assets.

Strategic joint flight in late June

The Chinese and Russian militaries also carried out a 'strategic joint flight' in late June over the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the western Pacific. Fighter jets, bombers and aerial refuelling aircraft took part, and according to Chinese media, aircraft from both militaries passed through the Miyako Strait between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island.

The two countries have criticized the defense policy of Sanae Takaichi's administration as 'new militarism'. In a joint statement issued after the May summit, they said that 'Japan's rapid rearmament path poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region'.

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