China and Russia launch annual naval exercises off Chinese coast

China and Russia commenced their annual joint naval exercises off the Chinese coast on Monday, a move that draws scrutiny amid global geopolitical tensions. The maneuvers, dubbed "Joint Sea-2026," are taking place in Qingdao, a major port city in eastern China.

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important diplomatic and economic partners, a link reinforced by their common desire to offer an alternative to what they perceive as the domination of the United States over the world order.

The exercises are designed to enhance tactical command and coordination between the two navies. According to China's Ministry of Defense, the drills will include reconnaissance, air and missile defense, and live-fire training. Following the main exercises, a portion of the forces will engage in a joint maritime patrol in the Pacific Ocean, though the exact location remains unspecified.

These joint military exercises between China and Russia have become a regular occurrence, closely watched by Western nations, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Beijing and Moscow are significant diplomatic and economic partners, united by a shared desire to challenge what they perceive as U.S. global dominance.

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tactical command and coordination exercises

The "Joint Sea" exercises have been conducted annually since 2012. The 2026 edition follows less than two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China, during which he described the bilateral relationship as "unprecedented" and Chinese leader Xi Jinping characterized it as "unshakeable."

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reconnaissance, air and missile defense, and live-fire training

Separately, China launched a long-range "strategic missile" from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday, according to the Chinese navy. The navy stated the missile was not equipped with a nuclear warhead. It remains unclear whether this test is connected to the Sino-Russian exercises.

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unprecedented