China’s Ministry of National Defense said the exercises will take place in waters and airspace near Qingdao. After the drills conclude, participating forces from both navies will carry out joint maritime patrols in designated areas of the Pacific Ocean.

The ministry described the exercises as part of the two countries’ annual program of military cooperation and said they are intended to jointly address security challenges while contributing to regional peace and stability.

Russia’s state-run RIA news agency reported that vessels from the Russian Pacific Fleet had already arrived in Qingdao ahead of the exercise, which is scheduled to run from July 6 to July 13.

According to RIA, Russia’s contingent includes a guided-missile cruiser, a corvette, a diesel-electric submarine and a rescue vessel. No details were released regarding the number or types of Chinese warships and aircraft expected to participate.

The annual drills form part of an expanding pattern of defense cooperation between China and Russia, whose militaries have regularly conducted joint exercises, maritime patrols and strategic air operations in recent years.

The planned Pacific patrol following the exercises reflects continued coordination between the two countries’ naval forces beyond training activities, as both governments seek to strengthen operational interoperability and maintain a visible military presence in regional waters.

Neither Beijing nor Moscow indicated that the exercises were directed at any specific country, with Chinese authorities emphasizing that the drills are designed to enhance cooperation in responding to shared security challenges and preserving regional stability.

The announcement comes as China and Russia continue to maintain close strategic ties across diplomatic, economic and defense sectors, with joint military exercises remaining a central feature of their expanding security partnership.