Chinese, Russian navies depart for joint drill at sea

Chinese and Russian fleets sailed out of a port in Zhanjiang in south China's Guangdong Province Thursday to predetermined waters for joint naval drill.

The "Joint Sea 2016" drill, starting Sept. 12, will run until Sept. 19, consisting of three phases: preparation at port, exercise at sea and summary.

China and Russia will present a total of 13 surface ships, two submarines, 11 fixed-wing aircraft, 10 ship-borne helicopters and amphibious armored equipment as well as 256 marines in the drill.

In the preparation phase, participants from both sides carried out map deduction and discussion and marines from the two militaries conducted joint training.

In the coming days, the two sides will undertake joint air defense, anti-submarine operations, coordinated three-dimensional island seizing, search and rescue, landing and examining and weapon use.

The coordinated three-dimensional island seizing activity is jointly operated by the two militaries for the first time.

"The exercise shows a high level of mutual trust between the two navies," said Zhang Junshe, a military expert.