Beijing, July 5 (SANA)China and Russia will hold joint naval exercises in waters and airspace off the coastal city of Qingdao later this month, China’s Ministry of National Defense said on Sunday.In a statement, the ministry said some naval forces from both countries would conduct joint maritime patrols in designated areas of the Pacific Ocean following the exercises.The ministry said the drills are part of an annual program aimed at strengthening coordination in addressing security challenges and maintaining peace and stability in the region.The announcement follows an agreement reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 20 to extendthe Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperationbetween the two countries. The two leaders also signed a joint statement on expanding comprehensive strategic coordination and deepening bilateral relations.