The Russian-Chinese exercises "Maritime Cooperation — 2026" opened in the port of Qingdao. The ceremony was held at the PLA naval base. The head of the exercises from the Russian side, Rear Admiral Sergei Sinko, stressed that the maneuvers are defensive in nature and are not directed against third countries.
Immediately after the opening, the staff officers and ship commanders began discussing tactical actions at sea. The Pacific Fleet is represented by the Varyag cruiser, the Sharp corvette, the Ufa submarine and the Igor Belousov rescue vessel. On the Chinese side, the destroyers Anshan and Kaifeng, the Wuhu frigate, the Yuan-class submarine, as well as supply and rescue vessels are involved.
The exercises will be held in the Yellow Sea from July 6 to 13. The military seamen of the two countries, with the support of aviation, will work out joint rescue operations, anti-submarine tasks and air defense, conduct artillery firing and training to rescue the crew of a conditionally emergency submarine using an underwater vehicle.
