China, Singapore to Hold ‘Maritime Cooperation-2026’ Joint Naval Exercise
Dragon Media News Desk
The Chinese and Singaporean navies will hold the “Maritime Cooperation-2026” joint exercise in the sea and airspace near Zhanjiang in South China’s Guangdong Province in early September, according to China’s Ministry of National Defense.
The drills will include live-fire shooting, underway replenishment and joint search and rescue operations.
The ministry said the exercise is intended to further strengthen mutual trust between China and Singapore, deepen practical military cooperation and enhance the two sides’ ability to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
China and Singapore have previously conducted four “Maritime Cooperation” joint naval exercises. The two countries held their first bilateral naval exercise under the name “Maritime Cooperation-2015” in 2015. Since then, their navies have developed a regular mechanism of alternating hosts, while the scale and influence of the exercises have gradually expanded.
In 2025, the China-Singapore “Exercise Cooperation-2025” joint maritime exercise was held from May 9 to 16 at Changi Naval Base and in the sea and airspace east of Singapore.
That exercise was divided into three phases: in-port exchanges, at-sea drills and a closing ceremony. The maritime phase included joint surface strikes, underway replenishment, joint search and rescue, as well as boarding and inspection operations.
The guided-missile frigate PLANS Xuchang and the mine countermeasure vessel PLANS Chishui represented the Chinese side in the 2025 exercise. Singapore deployed a Steadfast-class frigate and a Bedok-class mine countermeasure vessel.
Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe said joint search and rescue training has significant practical value because the South China Sea is a major international shipping artery where key sea lanes converge and maritime traffic is dense.
He noted that the South China Sea is also affected by complex hydrological and meteorological conditions, making natural disasters and maritime emergencies a recurring concern.
Under search and rescue responsibility zones designated by the International Maritime Organization, both China and Singapore have maritime rescue obligations in relevant areas of the South China Sea, and their naval forces accordingly shoulder related responsibilities, Zhang said.
He added that live-fire shooting and underway replenishment are designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of both navies. Live-fire drills improve the crews’ practical weapons employment skills, while underway replenishment tests and enhances sustained logistical support for operations in distant waters.
According to Zhang, the “Maritime Cooperation” exercise has two major areas of significance.
First, it helps deepen mutual trust and cooperation between the two militaries. Joint exercises provide a practical platform for improving mutual understanding, consolidating traditional friendship and strengthening strategic trust, while laying a stronger foundation for future military cooperation.
Second, the drills improve the two sides’ ability to respond jointly to maritime security challenges and contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability.
In addition to its regular “Maritime Cooperation” exercises with Singapore, China also conducts routine joint drills and training with neighbouring countries including Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
