BEIJING - Chinese and Russian navies will hold the "Joint Sea-2026" naval exercise this month in waters and airspace near the Chinese port city of Qingdao in East China's Shandong province, China's Ministry of National Defense announced Sunday.

Following the exercise, some forces from both sides will conduct a joint maritime patrol in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean, the ministry said in a statement.

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The ministry said the drill is part of the annual cooperation plan between the two militaries and is aimed at jointly responding to security challenges and safeguarding regional peace and stability.