China and Russia to Conduct Joint Naval Exercises Off Eastern Coast

The Chinese and Russian navies are scheduled to hold joint exercises in the waters and airspace off China's eastern coast starting Monday and continuing until July 13. The Chinese Ministry of Defence announced that the drills will take place near the major port of Qingdao and will be followed by joint maritime patrols in unspecified areas of the Pacific Ocean. Russian state media reported that a cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine, and a rescue vessel from Russia's Pacific Fleet have arrived in Qingdao for the exercises. China's Northern Theatre Command stated that its participating forces will include two destroyers, a frigate, a submarine, a supply ship, and a rescue vessel. The exercises will involve reconnaissance, air and missile defense, and surface-strike operations. These maneuvers occur approximately two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China, where he characterized bilateral relations as being at an 'unprecedentedly high level.' Chinese President Xi Jinping referred to the partnership between the two countries as 'unyielding.' The two nations have conducted Joint Sea exercises since 2012, with last year's drills held near the Russian port of Vladivostok, also followed by joint patrols in the Pacific. China has maintained a neutral stance regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, advocating for peace talks.