A Chinese Navy spokesperson says China and Russia will stage an eight-day drill in the South China Sea starting from Monday.
Spokesperson Liang Yang says the "Joint Sea-2016" drill will take place in waters off southern China's Guangdong Province. Surface ships, submarines and marine corps from both navies will take part in the drill.
The navies will undertake defense, rescue and anti-submarine operations, as well as the seizing of islands and other activities. The marine corps will carry out live-fire drills. They will also conduct sea crossing, island-landing operations, and island defense and offense exercises.
The "Joint Sea" drill is the largest naval exercise within the bilateral framework. The annual drill first started in 2012.