The exercise, codenamed "North/Interaction-2023", is aimed at promoting enhanced military cooperation between China and Russia.
Photo: Reuters
China's Defense Ministry said on its official WeChat account on Sunday that the Chinese fleet, including five warships and four helicopters, had left the eastern port of Qingdao and would meet Russian forces in a "pre-determined area."
Russian naval and air forces will take part in the drills taking place in the East China Sea, the ministry said on Saturday.
This will be the first time both Russian forces will participate in the exercise, the Global Times newspaper quoted military observers as saying.
Gromkiy and Sovershenniy, two Russian warships participating in the drills in the East China Sea, earlier this month conducted separate training with the Chinese navy in Shanghai on formation movements, communications and rescue at sea.
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu met the head of the Russian navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, in Beijing this month, with both sides reiterating their commitment to strengthening military ties.
Chinese military chief of staff Liu Zhenli and Russian Armed Forces chief of staff Valery Gerasimov made similar pledges in an online call in June.
Mai Anh (according to GT, Reuters)
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