China-Russia Joint Maritime Exercise, Deploy Missile Cruiser Ships

PHOTO © Andrey Popov/TASS

China and Russia have started their annual joint naval exercise, titled Maritime Interaction-2026, as part of efforts to strengthen their ability to face security challenges while maintaining regional peace and stability.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the exercise was part of an annual cooperation plan between the two countries' armed forces. The opening ceremony of the joint exercise was held at the Chinese naval base in Qingdao Port and was attended by the commanders of Russian Navy ships, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, and officers from the joint command headquarters.

The exercise is led by Rear Admiral Sergei Sinko of Russia and Rear Admiral Qiu Wencheng of China. In his remarks, Sinko emphasized that the annual exercise is defensive in nature and is not aimed at any country.

After the opening ceremony, the officers from the joint command headquarters together with the commanders of the participating ships immediately discussed tactical operations at sea and the procedures for implementing the planned exercises.

Chinese state media also reported the start of the exercise. According to their reports, the two countries launched the "Joint Sea-2026" naval exercise in the Qingdao military port, eastern Shandong Province.

China's official military social media account, China Bugle, said the eight-day exercise was divided into three phases, namely force gathering, planning in the port, and operations at sea.

On the first day, the two navies carried out command and tactical coordination exercises, while the joint command headquarters held in-depth discussions on the main materials of the exercises to be carried out at sea.

Then in the next phase, the participating warships will move to waters around Qingdao to carry out joint reconnaissance, air and missile defense, and use of weapons systems.

Russia deployed the Varyag missile cruiser, the Surovy frigate, the Ufa large submarine, as well as the Igor Belousov rescue ship.

Meanwhile, China included the destroyers Kaifeng and Anshan, the frigate Wuhu, the logistics ship Kekexilihu, the submarine rescue ship Yangchenghu, and one submarine. The annual exercise is scheduled to last until July 13 in the Yellow Sea region.