China and Russia have commenced joint naval exercises concentrating on submarine rescue operations. Beijing aims to gain operational experience from Russia in this critical area amidst escalating underwater competition.
Russia and China commence joint naval drills in the Yellow Sea, emphasizing defensive operations. Meanwhile, the US plans to deploy additional military personnel to Poland, considering a permanent base, while Poland's internal politics see a promise to block Ukraine's EU entry.
Russia's Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russia-China Joint Sea 2026 naval exercise, taking place in the Yellow Sea, is not directed against any country and contributes to regional security and predictability.
The Russia-China Joint Sea-2026 naval drills have started at the port of Qingdao, running from July 6 to July 13 in the Yellow Sea. Announced by Russian and Chinese exercise directors, the drills are described as defensive and not aimed at any third country. They include joint search-and-rescue, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and artillery firing exercises.
Japan and South Korea begin joint naval exercises, the first since 2018. Despite their "search and rescue" status, the drills occur amid heightened global and regional instability, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia and the influence of the US.
China's PLA Southern Theatre Command announced Friday that a naval fleet recently conducted drills in waters east of Luzon, the northernmost major island of the Philippines. The command, which oversees the South China Sea, described the exercises as "a necessary action taken in response to the current regional situation." The deployment coincided with Monday's launch of Balikatan 2026, a 19-day annual large-scale joint exercise led by the United States and the Philippines.
