BEIJING -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA)announced on Thursday that China and Russia will hold military cooperation programs next year, including a joint exercise.

"There will be eight military cooperative items next year, the Chinese Year in Russia," said Zhang Qinsheng, Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese PLA.

Zhang heads the military group of the Chinese organizing committee for "the Russian Year in China" and "the Chinese Year in Russia".

The two countries will hold a joint military war game in Russia under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Zhang said in an interview with the official website of "the Russian Year in China" and "the Chinese Year in Russia".

Next year Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan will visit Russia and PLA Navy Commander Zhang Dingfa will lead a naval fleet to Russia.

Chinese officers will stage parachute performances in Moscow.

A PLA troupe will undertake a road show and an art exhibition will be organized to display the friendly exchanges between the two armed forces. Programs on PLA's modernization will be aired on Russian television.

Chinese and Russian journalists will have a road trip along the border of the two countries.

Zhang said the programs scheduled for this year include Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov's visit to China and a Russian naval command visit to China.