China and Russia begin joint naval drills off Chinas coast as Europe warns Beijing over Moscow ties
China and Russia launched annual joint naval exercises off China’s eastern coast on Monday, deepening military cooperation as European leaders warned Beijing against enabling Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The drills, codenamed *Joint Sea-2026*, will run through July 13 near Qingdao and include joint maritime patrols in unspecified Pacific waters, according to statements from both countries’ defence ministries .
China’s Ministry of National Defence said the exercises are part of a regular cooperation plan aimed at “addressing security challenges and promoting peace and stability in the region” . Russian forces participating include a cruiser, corvette, diesel-electric submarine, and rescue vessel from the Pacific Fleet, while China’s Northern Theatre Command will deploy two destroyers, a frigate, submarine, supply ship, and rescue vessel . The manoeuvres will feature reconnaissance, air and missile defence, and surface-strike drills.
The timing underscores the growing strategic alignment between Beijing and Moscow, two months after Russian President Vladimir Putin described bilateral relations as reaching an “unprecedentedly high level” during a visit to China . China has repeatedly refused to condemn Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, framing itself as a neutral mediator while calling for peace talks. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, however, warned Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during his Helsinki visit on Sunday that Beijing’s support for Moscow risks destabilising Europe.
“If you support Russia, you challenge Europe,” Valtonen told reporters after their meeting, stressing that Russia remains the “most significant threat” to the continent . She added that China’s deepening partnership with Russia is “regrettable” and called on Beijing to take concrete steps to end the war. Valtonen also condemned China’s interference with a Pride-themed running event at its embassy in Beijing, describing the disruption as a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and raising human rights concerns during the talks .
The naval drills follow reports that China secretly trained around 200 Russian military personnel on its territory late last year, some of whom later returned to fight in Ukraine . The revelation has drawn criticism from EU capitals, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly urging Beijing to devalue the yuan by 30% to ease pressure on German industry .
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent ultimatum to China—demanding “tangible results” by October or face unspecified measures—has drawn scepticism from Beijing. A *China Daily* editorial dismissed the move as “belligerent” and counterproductive, noting that previous EU attempts to pressure China had ultimately led to negotiations . Wang Yi’s ongoing tour of Nordic countries, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, reflects China’s efforts to manage relations amid rising tensions.
As the exercises begin, analysts warn the drills could further strain EU-China ties, particularly over Beijing’s refusal to distance itself from Moscow’s aggression. Valtonen’s warning to Wang—“You cannot support Russia without challenging Europe”—captures the growing unease in European capitals over China’s strategic calculus.
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