The Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday that Russia and China will hold joint naval exercises between December 21 and 27, noting that the joint naval exercises, which have been held annually since 2012, will include the launch of rockets and artillery shells in the East China Sea.
The ministry said in a statement that the main purpose of the exercises is to strengthen maritime cooperation between Russia and China and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two countries signed a "borderless" strategic partnership just days before the war on Ukraine began in February, but Beijing has since expressed concern about Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Russia said four of its ships would take part in the exercises, including the missile cruiser Varyag, while six Chinese ships would take part along with warplanes and helicopters from both sides.
Russian ships sailed on Monday from the Russian port of Vladivostok to participate in the exercises, which begin on Wednesday and last for a week.
Tactical maneuvers
In a related context, the Interfax agency quoted the Russian Defense Ministry that its forces stationed in Belarus are conducting tactical exercises - on Monday - and the Russian units were deployed there last October.
Belarus's defense minister at the time described the presence of thousands of Russian troops on his country's soil as part of what he called a "regional synergy" to protect the border.