Russia, China to Hold Naval Drills in Far East

The second stage of the Russia-China "Joint Sea 2015" naval exercises in Russia’s Far Eastern Maritime Territory will have the two countries’ militaries practicing joint operations on the ground, at sea and in the air, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Eastern Military District press service said in a statement on Thursday.

“Russian and Chinese naval representatives visited the Pacific Fleet range near Cape Klerk and the Knevichi airfield and agreed on the details of the upcoming drills,” the statement added.

The sides also agreed to hold a closing conference in Vladivostok in July.

“The Joint Sea 2015 (II) exercise will be held in the Sea of Japan and on the Maritime Territory’s coast in late August.  More than 20 warships and support vessels, as well as Navy Air Force planes and helicopters will be taking part in the drill,” the press service said.

The first stage of Russian-Chinese maritime exercises was held in the Mediterranean Sea in May.