Chinese naval ships heading to sea of Japan for joint drills with Russia

The Naval Cooperation 2015 (II) military exercises will be held by the Russian and Chinese Navies on August 20-28. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the drills are aimed at bolstering strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Seven Chinese naval ships set sail from the port of Qingdao and headed to the Japanese Sea where joint Russian-Chinese naval drills are scheduled to kick off on August 20, Sputnik News Agency reported on Saturday.

On August 20-28, Russia and China will hold the Naval Cooperation 2015 (II) military exercises in the waters of Peter the Great Gulf and the Sea of Japan.

The Chinese side will be represented by the Shengyang and Taizhou destroyers, the Linyi and Hengyang frigates, Changbaishan and Yunwushan amphibious ships as well as the Taihu support ship. In addition, six helicopters, five fixed-wing aircraft and 200 troops will be involved.

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said a total of 20 warships and support vessels along with naval aviation aircraft will take part in the drills.

On August 20, the Chinese ships are expected to reach Russia’s Vladivostok where a series of sports and cultural events are planned to be held.

The Chinese Defense Ministry earlier underscored that the exercises are aimed to "bolster the comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership between Russia and China, and to increase the military capabilities of both countries to counter maritime threats".