BEIJING, July 6
(Xinhuanet) -- A Chinese naval task
force arrived in Vladivostok on Friday
to join Russia for the largest-ever
naval drill in the
region.
Chief naval directors
from both nations stressed that the
drill was not "targeting any third
party" but was designed to better
safeguard the two countries' interests
and tackle common
challenges.
Faced with "similar
maritime threats", the two sides aimed
to strengthen maritime security, said
Ding Yiping, deputy commander of the
navy of the Chinese People's
Liberation Army.
The drills,
titled "Joint Sea 2013", will last
until July 12
"We've repeated
several times that the drills are
not targeted at any third party,
and some people's speculation about
the exercises only shows their lack
of confidence," said Ding, China's
chief director in the exercise, at
a welcoming ceremony held by
Russia's Pacific Fleet at the
Golden Horn Bay.
Calling the
arrival of the Chinese fleet
"historic", Deputy Chief of the
Russian Navy Main Staff Leonid
Sukhanov said the naval drill will
further the two nations'
ties.
"We are able to
meet any aggression and challenges on
the sea," Sukhanov said. As
Russia's chief director, he also
joined the first China-Russia naval
drill held last year in the
Yellow Sea.
This month's
naval exercise will be held in
Peter the Great Bay near Vladivostok
and marks the first time that
the Chinese navy has participated in
a drill in the Sea of Japan.
It is also its largest-ever naval
drill abroad with a foreign partner,
Ding said.
"This is just
the beginning, and definitely not the
last one," he said.
Officials
and observers said the naval drill
signals a strengthening of Sino-Russian
military trust and coordination. It
may also set precedence for future
joint drills on a regular
basis.
The Chinese navy
dispatched three new types of
shipborne helicopters, a special operations
detachment as well as warships from
its North Sea Fleet and the
South Sea Fleet that include four
destroyers, two guided missile frigates
and a supply ship.
Eleven
warships, including the flagship of
Russia's Pacific Fleet, the
Slava-class guided missile cruiser Varyag,
a submarine and three aircraft from
the Russian navy will participate in
the drill, which will focus on
joint maritime air defense, joint
escorts and maritime search and rescue
operations.
During the eight
days, both navies will work together
to direct and command the drill,
Ding said.
They will also
take live ammunition exercises, and
stage a number of sporting
competitions and culture performances, said
Yang Junfei, commander of the Chinese
fleet.
（Editor：DuMingming、Zhang
Qian）
