China and Russia wrap up joint naval exercise

China and Russia concluded the maritime phase of the Joint Sea-2026 naval exercise on Saturday after completing a series of drills involving submarine rescue, maritime strike, air defense, and anti-missile operations, according to the People's Liberation Army Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Chinese military. The drills further deepened mutual trust between the two sides, improved their joint operational capabilities, and consolidated traditional friendly cooperation, the report said. During the maritime phase, the two sides carried out flexible and highly coordinated training without preset scripts. Frontline commanders made on-the-spot decisions on formation maneuvering and firepower allocation based on the battlefield situation, hydrographic, and meteorological conditions, the report said. The drills effectively tested the two sides' capabilities in joint reconnaissance and early warning, command coordination, and firepower strikes in a complex electromagnetic environment, according to the report. Since 2012, the Joint Sea series of exercises has become an important platform for naval cooperation between China and Russia, it said. The Joint Sea exercises have developed into a "regular, institutionalized, and combat-oriented joint training brand" between the two militaries, the report added. According to the plan, after the exercise, some forces from both sides will head to relevant waters of the Pacific Ocean for a joint maritime patrol, continuing to contribute to the maintenance of international and regional peace and stability, according to the report. The report said the two sides will continue to expand the depth and scope of joint training on the basis of openness, transparency, and mutual trust.