China-Russia naval exercise begins in Baltic Sea

China and Russia have started their large-scale naval

drills dubbed “Joint Sea 2017” in the Baltic Sea. The exercises will

involve jets, helicopters and vessels.

The Chinese

Navy is represented by one of its most advanced missile destroyers, the

Hefei, as well as missile frigate Yuncheng and the Luomahu supply ship.

CGTN’s Daria Bondarchuk reported the two countries want to increase

cooperation and efficiency in protecting security at sea.

According

to the report, the naval forces of the Chinese People's Liberation Army

arrived in Russia on Friday. A welcoming ceremony was held in Baltiysk

in northern Russia. The Chinese and the Russian navies are set to hold a

series of drills as part of the "Joint Sea 2017" exercise program. A

dozen vessels of different classes, as well as some 10 aircraft and

helicopters from both sides are scheduled to take part in the first leg

of the drills throughout next week.

The Joint Sea

naval exercises were held for the first time in 2012. This year they

will stretch into autumn. In September the second phase of the navy

drills will begin in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.