China, Russia, and Mongolia, which share land borders, are holding joint military exercises in their border regions for the second consecutive year, following last year.

China's Ministry of National Defense announced today (the 1st) that border defense units from the three countries will conduct the "Border Defense Cooperation-2026" joint drills in early September, stating that "the mission of the exercise is to prevent and counter reconnaissance and sabotage activities in border areas."

The ministry added that the three nations will conduct joint planning, searching, striking, apprehending, and handover exercises, explaining that "this training is aimed at solidifying strategic mutual trust, deepening border defense cooperation, and jointly safeguarding the security and stability of the border regions."

Previously, the three countries held a trilateral summit in September of last year in China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and military parade, followed by the "Border Defense Cooperation-2025" drills conducted by their units on September 8 to 9.

During that trilateral summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for consolidating political trust and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation, proposing that "we actively promote the connection of border infrastructure facilities and energy projects among the three countries."

Although China and Russia are reportedly yet to reach a final agreement on the "Power of Siberia-2" natural gas pipeline project, once constructed, the pipeline will transport natural gas from Russia's Yamal Peninsula through Mongolia to China.

The day before, President Xi also held separate bilateral summits with the leaders of Russia and Mongolia in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, which is hosting this year's SCO summit.

(Photo: Capture from China's Ministry of National Defense website, Yonhap News)