Chinese warships arrive in Russia's Far East for joint drill

Chinese fleet arrive in Vladivostok, Russia, July 5, 2013. A Chinese fleet consisting of seven naval vessels arrived in Vladivostok on Friday to participate in Sino-Russian joint naval drills scheduled for July 5 to 12 at the sea area and airspace of the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

A fleet of Chinese warships arrived in Russia's Far Eastern port of Vladivostok on Friday to participate in a week-long joint naval drill.

Addressing a welcoming ceremony at a naval port of Russia's Pacific Fleet, Leonid Sukhanov, deputy chief of staff of the Russian Navy, said the drill, dubbed "Joint Sea 2013," is one of the largest joint military maneuvers in the region.

The drill is aimed at enhancing the two navies' capability in coordinating maritime defense operations, he added.

Ding Yiping, deputy commander of the Chinese Navy, said it is the first time for the two navies to stage joint military exercises in waters near Russia's Peter the Great Bay. After a similar drill last year, the two sides would coordinate better, he said.

A total of 19 vessels, eight planes and two teams of special forces from the two countries will participate in the exercises on July 5-12.

The maneuvers will focus on joint maritime air defense, joint escorts and marine search and rescue operations.

In 2012, the two navies conducted a joint drill in the Yellow Sea.