China and Russia launch joint naval drills off Qingdao

China and Russia began annual joint naval exercises off the coast of Qingdao on Monday, involving a guided-missile cruiser, submarine, and multiple warships from both navies. The drills, scheduled through July 13, include reconnaissance, air and missile defense, and surface-strike exercises, followed by joint patrols in the Pacific Ocean Source: scmp.

The exercises come as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara, with the strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow drawing increased Western scrutiny Source: elmundoes. Chinese and Russian military cooperation has deepened since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with China refusing to condemn the Kremlin and boosting trade ties. A Reuters investigation recently claimed Russia trained Chinese military personnel in radiological, chemical, and biological defense, a report Beijing denied as "slander" Source: elmundoes.

The drills

• Russian vessels include the cruiser Varyag, a diesel-electric submarine, a corvette, and a rescue ship Source: scmp.
• China's Northern Theatre Command contributed two destroyers, a frigate, a submarine, a supply ship, and a rescue vessel Source: aljazeera.
• The Chinese defense ministry stated the exercises aim to "jointly respond to security challenges and safeguard regional peace and stability" Source: cna.

Broader context

• The partnership has been described by Xi Jinping as "unyielding" and by Putin as at an "unprecedentedly high level" Source: aljazeera.
• Western officials view the growing military ties with suspicion, especially amid Russia's war in Ukraine and China's expanding naval capabilities Source: elmundoes.