China, Russia hold joint naval exercise in East China Sea to deepen partnership

China and Russia will hold a joint naval military exercise from December 21 to 27 in East China Sea, off China's eastern coast, aiming to further deepen cooperation amid tense relations with the US over a range of issues.

China's defense ministry said on Tuesday that the exercise, arranged according to annual plan between the two militaries, aims to demonstrate the ability of the two sides to jointly respond



to maritime security threats and further deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Russia in the new era.

The Russian defence ministry said on Monday that ships involved in the joint drills included the Varyag missile cruiser, the Marshal Shaposhnikov destroyer, and two corvette-class ships of Russia’s Pacific Fleet.