WATCH Russian warships arrive in China

The annual Joint Sea-2026 exercises will run for nearly a week, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has said

Russian Pacific Fleet warships have arrived in the Chinese port of Qingdao for annual joint naval drills, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said on Sunday.

The two navies, supported by aviation, will conduct search-and-rescue operations, anti-submarine and air defense drills, and live-fire artillery exercises, the ministry said.

Video released by the ministry shows a detachment of Russian Pacific Fleet vessels arriving at the port. It also captures the official welcoming ceremony, where sailors from both countries exchange handshakes as children present flowers to the visiting crews.

China’s Ministry of National Defense said Sunday that the exercise is part of the annual cooperation plan between the two militaries and is aimed at jointly addressing security challenges and maintaining regional peace and stability. It added that some forces from both sides would conduct a joint maritime patrol in parts of the Pacific Ocean following the drills.

The drills come as Russia and China continue to expand military cooperation alongside closer political and economic ties.

Earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. During the visit, the parties signed over 40 cooperation agreements in areas including trade, technology, and media exchanges.

Putin said Russia-China relations had reached an unprecedented level, describing them as a model of a genuine comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. Xi said that the ties had reached “the highest level in history.” The two sides also agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001.