BEIJING, May 13 -- China and Russia will hold a joint naval drill in the northern part of the East China Sea between May 20 and 26, a spokesman for the Chinese navy announced on Tuesday.

Liang Yang told a press conference that the "Joint Sea-2014" drill will focus on defense and attack, escorts, search and rescue and the freeing of hijacked ships, among other actions.@ Liang revealed that the two sides will dispatch a total of 14 vessels, two submarines, nine fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and special forces for the exercise.

According to the spokesman, the event is a key measure for China and Russia to strengthen mutual political trust and for the two armies to deepen cooperation.

The drill aims to boost their capabilities to jointly cope with maritime security threats and will not target any third party, he added.