Chinese and Russian military forces will hold joint naval and air exercises in Chinese territory this July, marking further military cooperation between the two nations, Bloomberg reported.
According to a statement on Sunday, July 5, from the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the maneuvers will take place in the waters and airspace near the coastal city of Qingdao.
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Following the initial exercises, the naval forces of both countries will conduct a joint maritime patrol in the Pacific Ocean.
The Chinese defense ministry stated that the exercises, designated Joint Sea-2026, are part of an annual cooperation plan between the armed forces of the two countries. The ministry claimed the drills are aimed “at addressing security challenges and helping to maintain peace and stability in the region.”
The ministry’s statement did not provide specific dates for the exercises or detail the size and composition of the naval and air forces participating.
Alleged training of Russian troops
The announcement of the Joint Sea-2026 exercises comes shortly after Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador for urgent diplomatic talks on Friday, July 3. The meeting was prompted by reports that Chinese military facilities secretly trained Russian soldiers last year.
The German Foreign Ministry confirmed it had requested the meeting following Reuters’ revelations that the training had been personally approved by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.
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“Anything that enables Russia to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens our security,” a German foreign ministry source told Reuters. “China’s decisive and growing support for Russia’s brutal war of aggression directly impacts our security.”
The Chinese embassy in Germany denied the allegations, labeling them “entirely unfounded.”
Senior officers reportedly oversaw training
The military cooperation allegedly involved at least four senior Russian and Chinese officers and was authorized through an internal decree signed by Belousov in August 2025.
One classified Russian document reviewed by Reuters described Russian military delegations traveling to People’s Liberation Army facilities in China to participate in specialized military courses. One specific three-week program in Beijing reportedly focused on radiological, biological, and chemical (RBC) defense, with Russian soldiers receiving instruction from Chinese military personnel.
The reviewed documents included photographs of Russian troops attending lectures, studying a model nuclear reactor, and learning chemical and radiation reconnaissance techniques. European officials told Reuters the participation of senior officers underscored the strategic importance both Moscow and Beijing attach to the cooperation.
China continues to deny military support
Beijing has consistently maintained a position of neutrality regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine, stating it supports peace negotiations. The Chinese foreign ministry rejected the findings published by Reuters, insisting its position on the war “has remained consistent.”
However, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated last month that Brussels had independently confirmed the training had taken place and was assessing its implications. European officials are reportedly discussing whether additional measures against China may be needed, despite Beijing remaining one of the EU’s largest trading partners.
Previous reports from Reuters indicated that approximately 200 Russian soldiers underwent military training, including drone operations, in China in late 2025 before some were deployed to Ukraine. This training was reportedly conducted under a bilateral military agreement signed by Russian and Chinese officials in July 2025.
In June, European intelligence services confirmed the Chinese training of Russian soldiers at several locations in China. According to a senior EU official, the program involved hundreds of individuals, some of whom subsequently served on the front lines in Ukraine.
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