CHINA / MILITARY
China, Mongolia launch joint army training
By Xinhua Published: May 31, 2026 08:14 AM
A march-past is held during a joint army training exercise of China and Mongolia, in north China's Inner Mongolia on May 30, 2026. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Gao Junjie/Xinhua)

A march-past is held during a joint army training exercise of China and Mongolia, in north China's Inner Mongolia on May 30, 2026. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Gao Junjie/Xinhua)


China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia.

The training focuses on strikes against illegal armed groups. It aims to deepen friendship and mutual trust, enhance practical cooperation, and strengthen the two sides' capabilities to uphold regional peace and stability.

During the training, the two sides are expected to establish a joint command structure and conduct training on joint command and coordinated strike operations in simulated combat scenarios.

More than 600 officers and soldiers from China and Mongolia attended the opening ceremony on Saturday. This is the second exercise in this joint training series between the two armies.

This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from China during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Hu Zongbo/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from China during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Hu Zongbo/Xinhua)


This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from Mongolia during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Wang Rugang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from Mongolia during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Wang Rugang/Xinhua)


This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from China during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Gong Ze/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from China during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Gong Ze/Xinhua)


This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from Mongolia during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Sun Jiaqian/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows officers and soldiers from Mongolia during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Sun Jiaqian/Xinhua)


This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows the flag bearer and flag escorts from China during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Fu Zhixiang/Xinhua)

This photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows the flag bearer and flag escorts from China during a joint army training exercise in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Fu Zhixiang/Xinhua)


An aerial drone photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows a scene of the launching ceremony for a joint army training exercise of China and Mongolia held in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named Steppe Partner 2026, in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Du Jiajie/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on May 30, 2026 shows a scene of the launching ceremony for a joint army training exercise of China and Mongolia held in north China's Inner Mongolia. China and Mongolia on Saturday launched a joint army training exercise, code-named "Steppe Partner 2026," in north China's Inner Mongolia. (Photo by Du Jiajie/Xinhua)