China and Russia are expected to conduct joint exercises in the Pacific Ocean next week, as a “response to challenges,” according to a statement from Beijing.

This time, the annual joint naval military exercises with Russia will take place near the Chinese coast, after which the navies of both countries will conduct patrols in the Pacific Ocean.

The Chinese and Russian navies will participate in the “Joint Sea-2026,” which will be held “in the air and sea space off Qingdao,” an important military port and seaside resort in eastern China, the Chinese Ministry of Defense announced.

“Following these joint exercises, elements of the two countries’ forces will participate in a joint maritime patrol in a Pacific maritime zone,” the statement added.

This initiative “aims to address all security challenges and maintain peace and stability in the region,” the Chinese ministry noted, without specifying the size of the forces to be deployed.

These joint Russia-China military exercises have been held annually since 2012 and are now viewed with suspicion by Western countries.

Source: cnn.gr