China, Russia to hold joint military drills

Soldiers stand on a Chinese navy ship for the planned China-Russia military drill in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, July 1, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fang Fenghui, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People' s Liberation Army (PLA), together with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov, ratified relevant documents and announced the decision at a joint press conference.

Fang, who is also a member of the Central Military Commission, is paying an official visit to Russia.

According to the two officials, Chinese and Russian armed forces will hold "Joint Sea-2013" drill in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan from July 5 to July 12, and China-Russia joint anti- terrorism military drill code-named Peace Mission-2013 in Russia's Chelyabinsk from July 27 to August 15.

The joint drills are not targeting any third party, and meant to strengthen cooperation between the two armed forces in military training, enhance their capability in coordinating military operations, so that they can play a positive role in safeguarding regional security and stability, Fang said.

In a separate meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Fang praised the good momentum of relationship between the two armed forces and their fruitful cooperation.

China, together with Russia, is willing to enhance high-level mutual visits, professional and personnel exchanges as well as joint exercises between the two armed forces, so as to push forward bilateral military ties, Fang said.

Shoigu, for his part, called for closer military exchanges and coordination between the two close neighbors and strategic partners in the context of new challenges facing regional and global peace and stability.