China, Russia in South China Sea war games
The Chinese and Russian navies are staging eight days of war games in the South China Sea, in a sign of growing co-operation between their armed forces against the backdrop of regional territorial disputes.
The Joint Sea-2016 manoeuvres, which began on Monday, include ships, submarines, ship-borne helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, along with marines and amphibious armoured vehicles who will conduct live-firing exercises, according to a Defence Ministry statement.
Tasks will include defensive and rescue drills, anti-submarine exercises and the simulated seizure of an enemy island by marines from both sides.
A Russian-Chinese eight-day naval exercise coninues at a firing range in Zhanjiang, in southern China's Guangdong Province.
The exercise is part of an annual programme which "aims to consolidate and advance the Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and deepen friendly and practical cooperation between the two militaries," Chinese navy spokesman Liang Yang was quoted as saying.
"It will also improve coordination between the two navies on joint defence operations at sea," Liang said.
China's South Sea Fleet will make up the bulk of the forces, along with some elements from the North and East Sea fleets, Liang said.
The ministry didn't say exactly where the drills would be held in the South China Sea, the site of heated territorial disputes between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours.
Joint Chinese-Russian drills have become increasingly common in recent years with this week's exercises the fifth between the two navies since 2012.
While China says the drills do not envision specific enemies or target any third parties, their location in the South China Sea has drawn criticism.
Russian news outlets said 18 ships, 21 aircraft and more than 250 marines from both sides would take part in the drills. The ships include destroyers, cruisers, a Russian battleship, amphibious warfare ships and supply vessels.
China's navy would contribute 10 ships, including destroyers, frigates, amphibious ships, supply vessels and submarines, along with 11 fixed-wing aircraft, eight helicopters, 160 marines and amphibious armour, it said.
(Source : stuff.co.nz)
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