China and Russia to perform joint naval exercise in South China Sea

China and Russia announced on Tuesday that they would start a joint naval drill off Guangdong province in the South China Sea.

The "Joint Sea 2016" drill will run until September 19, and feature navy surface ships, submarines, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, marines and amphibious armored equipment.

Wang Hai, Chinese chief director of the exercise and deputy commander of the Chinese Navy, said that the joint drill is "a strategic measure" and concrete action to promote the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in order to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, especially the two navies.

Ten Chinese Navy ships - destroyers, frigates, landing ships, supply ships and submarines - are participating in the drill, as well as 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters, 160 marines and amphibious armored equipment.

The Russian Navy has three surface ships, two supply ships, two helicopters, 96 marines and amphibious armored equipment participating in the drill.

The drill will highlight real combat, digitization and standardization to promote naval cooperation.

Several procedures will be undertaken during the drill, including joint air defense, anti-submarine operations, landing, island-seizing, search and rescue, and weapon use.