Chinese, Russian naval forces conduct joint escort drill

（People's Daily Online）  07:56, July 11, 2013  

Chinese and Russian warships participating in the China-Russia "Joint Sea-2013" joint naval drill conduct joint escort drill in a designated sea area on July 9, 2013. (China Military Online/Sun Yang)

Chinese naval ships arrived in Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok on Friday for the joint naval drill. Before the start of actual maneuvers, the two sides conducted careful and detailed preparations and had an open-day event.

Chinese Navy's main warships, which will participate in the China-Russia "Joint Sea-2013" joint naval drills in Peter the Great Bay and the Sea of Japan from July 5 to July 12, are from the North Sea Fleet and the South Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLAN).

The ships are the Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Wuhan and Lanzhou guided missile destroyers, the Yancheng and Yantai guided missile frigates, as well as the Hongze Lake comprehensive supply ship. Three new-type ship-borne helicopters and a special operation detachment will also participate in the joint naval drills.

In 2012, the two navies conducted a joint drill in the Yellow Sea.