BEIJING — China and Russia have begun live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea, state-controlled Global Times newspaper reported, with the two countries having strengthened military and trade ties in recent years following US sanctions on both.

Both countries will deploy at least three vessels each for the three-day exercises, the report said, citing the People's Liberation Army Navy. The drills follow the completion of a separate joint naval patrol in the north Pacific, other state media said.

The exercise will see the warship formation practise live-fire training, reconnaissance and early warning, search and rescue, and air defence, the report late on Tuesday evening said, according to the PLA South Sea Fleet.

Wang Guangzheng of the PLA Navy's Southern Theatre told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that: "the China-Russia joint patrol has promoted the deepening and practical co-operation between the two in multiple directions and fields."

"And effectively enhanced the ability to the two sides to jointly respond to maritime security threats."

Related

---