Chinese and Russian navy ships conduct first joint drills in Mediterranean

China started its joint naval drills with Russia in the Mediterranean Sea yesterday, the China News Service reported.

It is the first time the two countries have held a joint military exercise in the area. It is also the first time the People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels have held an exercise this far from home ports, although the scale of the drill is limited.

China deployed three ships and two shipboard helicopters for the drill, led by the Russian Navy, the report said. Russia sent six vessels to the exercises that conclude on May 21.

The PLA ships include the frigates Linyi and Weifang and the supply vessel Weishanhu, which have completed an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden.

The Linyi was also involved in evacuating hundreds of Chinese and foreigners from Yemen last month.

In another development, China has invited Russian troops to march in a parade in Beijing in September to commemorate the end of the second world war, the defence ministry said yesterday, a move likely to further put off Western leaders from attending.