BEIJING, May 18 -- "China-Mongolia joint army training Steppe Partner 2026 will be held in Inner Mongolia, China, from late May to early June," said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a press briefing on Monday.

Focusing on the theme of Joint Strike Against Illegal Armed Groups, Steppe Partner 2026 will be the second iteration of its kind between the two armies, which serves the purpose of continuously deepening friendship and mutual trust, enhancing practical cooperation, and strengthening capabilities of both sides in jointly upholding regional peace and stability, said the spokesperson.