The Chinese and Russian navies have launched a joint military exercise in the South China Sea, in an apparent bid to keep the United States and the Philippines in check.
China's defense ministry says a three-day drill began on Monday in the waters around Zhanjiang in the southern province of Guangdong.
The ministry says the participating fleet includes a missile destroyer and two frigates, and that the aim is to unify the command of the two forces.
The Russian defense ministry announced on Monday that two corvettes from the Pacific Fleet will join the training. It said the two navies will carry out air defense, anti-submarine and other drills.
In May, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Beijing. They signed a joint statement that includes deepening military cooperation, such as expanding the scale of joint military drills.
The latest move comes as the United States steps up its involvement in the South China Sea. The exercise is also apparently aimed at putting pressure on the Philippines over the waters where Beijing and Manila have territorial disputes.