Russia, China launch biggest joint naval drill in Sea of Japan

China and Russia kicked off their biggest yet joint naval drill in the Sea of Japan yesterday, amid warming ties between the former rivals.

The week-long "Joint Sea-2013" exercise runs until July 12 in the Peter the Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan. It will also involve a three-day live-fire exercise from today.

The People's Liberation Army Daily said China had sent four destroyers, two frigates and one supply ship, while the Russian Pacific Fleet dispatched 12 advanced warships, including its flagship cruiser the Varyag, the destroyer Admiral Vinogradov, a Kilo-class submarine and other vessels.

Japan's Ministry of Defence said both Tokyo and Washington will send surveillance planes and warships to closely monitor the drill. The ministry earlier this week announced that it will stage a five-day joint US-Japanese aircraft drill from Monday in Hokkaido, which is 800 kilometres from the Peter the Great Gulf.

Xinhua yesterday published an English commentary, calling on both Japan and the United States not to worry about the drill.

It said the drill "would by no means imply any change in China's defence policy".

However, the commentary also noted: "It is true that the drill comes at a time when tensions remain over an island dispute between China and Japan and when China's first aircraft carrier [the Liaoning] has just gone into service."