China & Russia plan joint naval war exercises in Sea of Japan & Yellow Sea

China says it will join Russia in naval war games starting next month in the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.

The official Xinhua News Agency quoted Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun as saying Thursday that the exercise will begin in late April and run into May. The specific locations were not disclosed.

Yang says the joint exercise is aimed at improving cooperation and ensuring stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

China and Russia have conducted several joint military exercises since 2005 within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The group also includes the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and aims to promote regional cooperation and check U.S. influence.

The Washington Post