China and Russia are holding the second part of a joint naval exercise from Aug. 20-28, according to Duowei News, a media outlet run by overseas Chinese.
This part of the exercise is being held in the Peter the Great Gulf, the waters off the coast of Vladivostok and the Sea of Japan.
The exercise represents many firsts for China: the first time Sino-Russian maritime exercises have been split into two parts; the first time the PLA Air Force will take part in the maritime exercises; the first time Chinese warship, amphibious landing ship and fixed-wing fighter squadrons have attended exercises outside of Chinese territory together and the first landing exercise they have carried out together outside Chinese territory.
Media reports from Aug. 20 suggest that the PLA Navy fleet has already arrived in the Russian Pacific fleet's main base in Vladivostok, where Russia's Slava-class missile cruiser Varyag welcomed the Chinese guests. Twenty-three warships will take part in the exercises, as well as two submarines, 15 fixed-wing aircraft, eight ship-based helicopters, 400 ground troops and 30 amphibious vehicles.
Read the full story at Want China Times